The assets of Monroe City and Palmyra Intermet and Diversified Diemakers plants were sold, effective Tuesday to Continental Castings, LLC, of Perry, which owns Perry Machine & Die.

David Berry of Perry Machine & Die and Continental Castings said it will be “business as normal” in the near future. The purchase price was not disclosed.

The remaining 71 full-time employees of Intermet at the Monroe City and Palmyra plants were notified Friday afternoon that they should report to work on Monday at specific scheduled times with two forms of identification. Temporary employees who had been working through employment agencies were not recalled to work.

On Monday, employees were told of the pending acquisition. The existing management team remains in place with some existing Perry Machine and Die management working at both plants during the transition, allowing no interruption in supplies to customers.
Continental Castings LLC has been in business since 1998 and casts aluminum and zinc alloys. With this acquisition, it will expand its non-ferrous casating, machining and assembly divisions.

Paul and Linda Berry of Monroe City own Continental Casting LLC. They established Perry Machine & Die in 1974 as a mold and tool shop. Prior to starting Perry Machine & Die, Paul Berry was an employee of Diemakers in the 1960s with co-founders George and Albert Spalding. Perry Machine & Die’s expansion in machining of ferrous and non-ferrous castings along with the development of injection of plastic molding has matured into a substantial, expanding company in the plastics industry with approximately 80 employees at its Perry plant. Because of Perry Machine & Die’s strong capabilities of CNC machining of castings, the next probable step was to begin diecasting for themselves. Thus, Continental Casting LLC was established. Perry Machine & Die, Inc. and Continental Casting LLC are both family-owned businesses that continue to be financially stable, growing companies in Northeast Missouri, a press release said.

Mayor Neal Minor echoed the sentiment of the town when learning of the news. “I think this is the best possible outcome we could have hoped for. Perry Machine & Die is a quality organization and the City of Monroe City welcomes them wholeheartedly.”
Loree Quinn, president of the Monroe City Chamber of Commerce, said, “The Chamber is delighted to see the sale go through to a business with a feel for our community and the surrounding area. Monroe City is very fortunate to have long-time, well-established area business buy the plant. A family-owned business buying Intermet and implementing their strong feelings of family and community will be a real plus for Monroe City.”

Dennis Spalding of Accu-Therm said that he was excited about the Berry family purchasing the local plants and recalled that Paul Berry had worked with his father in the 1960s. “Paul told Dad that he wanted to go out on his own and start his own tool shop. Dad encouraged and enthusiastically supported Paul’s decision...Paul’s success speaks for itself,” noting that Paul and the late George Spalding had remained friends and close business associates for nearly 50 years.

Monroe County Presiding Commissioner Donald Simpson said, “Monroe County would like to congratulate Paul and David Berry and everyone at Perry Machine & Die on today’s announcement. Monroe County always welcomes positive economic development.”
“What makes this news even more welcome is that PMD is a local company with strong ties to the Monroe City Area. Today’s announcement is hopefully the day we can begin to turn the page on news of plant closings and job loss to one of job retention, job creation and economic growth,” Simpson said.