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The die is cast by these Spartanburg manufacturers
8/28/2008 |
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If there's one thing Dennis Blanton and Paul Bentivegna have learned over the course of their 30-year careers in the metalworking industry, it's this: "Do what you love, and love what you do."
Blanton, a native of Pacolet, and Bentivegna, an Upstate transplant from Montreal, couldn't be more different. That is, except for a passion they share for Dynamic Reproducer Co. LLC, the small die-casting company they founded two years ago in Spartanburg.
Each day, the company's machines turn out thousands of zinc alloy-based parts, including complex automotive engine parts, movable assemblies and other commercial items, such as medals, buttons, plant hangers and hardware.
With the enthusiasm of kids who get to play with their toys, Blanton and Bentivegna are committed to the profession.
"The business is quite interesting," said Bentivegna, who handles most of the managerial and financial duties and has earned the nickname "Rain Man" for his sharp mind and resemblance to actor Dustin Hoffman. "I get to see what makes the world tick. We became fascinated with it."
Blanton and Bentivegna met on the job several years ago. Both men worked for Dynacast Inc. of Spartanburg, a subsidiary of Dynacast International. When their plant closed in 2006, Bentivegna made a bid for a few of Dynacast's machines and enlisted Blanton, who had worked for Dynacast since 1978, to serve as his partner and technician.
"Some of this equipment has been in Spartanburg since the '40s," Blanton said. "These machines stamped out the original 'Johnny Lightning' Matchbox cars."
The men inherited a small customer base from Dynacast and have added several customers of their own. The complexity of the process and thousands of possibilities with die cast parts, they said, have helped them keep the business viable.
"They're great to work for," said employee Donald Sutton, a former Dynacast worker who came out of retirement to help Blanton and Bentivegna. "I wouldn't do it if it wasn't fun. It keeps my wife happy because I'm out of the house, and it keeps me happy because I get to do what I love."
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