An Al Tech loan from the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency is supporting a local manufacturer to grow business through a new roll form line.

Dahlstrom Roll Form, located at 402 Chandler St. in Jamestown, recently received a $350,000 Al Tech loan for five years at a 4 percent interest rate to purchase the line. County officials visited the facility Wednesday morning to get a glimpse of operations and witness the making of products.

According to Robert White, owner, the new line is primarily used for racking systems for panels at solar power plants. The company manufactures a variety custom linear shapes that are formed from different metals. Current markets include HVAC, refrigerated storage, commercial construction, train car, solar racking and architectural interiors.

Touring the facility, County Executive Vince Horrigan and IDA officials saw how products were manufactured. The process starts with the uncoiling of wire. From there, the wire works its way through a series of rollers where the shape is added. The product is cut when finished and placed on pallets for shipment to customers. White said the company has around 150 customers.

Dahlstrom Roll Form has been in the area since 1904. White, who acquired the company in 2010, said the IDA has been helpful throughout the company’s endeavors.

“This machine that we received a loan for allows for additional capability and capacity,” White said. “Now that machine is filled.”

Kevin Sanvidge, administrative director and CEO for the IDA, said their No. 1 goal is to help maintain the companies in Chautauqua County and help them grow. Sanvidge said loaning Dahlstrom Roll Form money is a perfect example of the IDA’s efforts to help businesses expand and become more efficient.

“It’s all about helping them to become more modern so they can have more reliable equipment to be successful,” Sanvidge said.

In addition, Five Star Bank partnered with the IDA and approved a five-year, $550,000 equipment loan.