(KLZA) -- 25 years is a great reason to celebrate. As part of Business and Industry Week, Falls City Economic Development and Growth Enterprise  and Watkins Aircraft Support Products Incorporated invited the public to celebrate the company’s past and bright future Thursday. 

Dane Anderson, President and CEO of WASP Inc. noted that company founder Jim Watkins came to Falls City in 1979 looking for a place to expand his company that was 10 years old and located in Glenwood, Minnesota. 

WASP produces airline ground support equipment and package handling conveyor equipment. 

Anderson says things are going very well for the company with the Falls City plant employing an all-time high of 92.  The company has well over 300 employees overall. 

During a tour of the facility Anderson said he had just learned that Delta airlines, a former client had placed an order for equipment after noticing what they purchased previously from WASP was holding up better than equipment they were purchasing from another company. Anderson noted the company’s major clients include United Airlines, American Airlines, U.S. Air along with U.P.S. and FEDEX.  

WASP is planning to make major investments in the Falls City facility in both equipment and new hires. About a half-million dollars in equipment are planned to be added to the Falls City facility both this year and again next year. The new equipment will include two new press breaks and a new compressor system.

Anderson spoke with pride about the fact WASP has been 100-percent employee owned since 1997.  With business booming and the Falls City facility expanding the company is looking for new employees. Types of jobs at the plant include welders, painters, line workers, foremen and lead people.  Anderson said workers will be trained for jobs based on their skills.

Jerry Koopman has been the manger of the Falls City plant since 2008.