By Roger Allen
Montezuma Lions Club members learned about robotics when they visited Colewell Automation on Monday, Jan. 10. This is one of the town’s newer technological/industrial enterprises, utilizing robotics to build products to help their customers increase automation of their businesses.
The business was officially formed in November of 2019, at various temporary sites. It took a big step forward in May 2021 when its owners purchased the former Malcom Lumber site (and before that the Montezuma sale barn) and began production there shortly thereafter. The official address is 540 North Front Street, which is on the west side of Highway 63 on the north edge of Montezuma.
The business is owned in an equal partnership by two long-time area residents, Steven Coleman, of Malcom, and Dustin Stowell of Deep River. Portions of their last names were blended to form the Colewell part of the business name.
Coleman is Director of Sales and Technology and Stowell is Director of Operations. Dustin and Steven have more than 30 years of collective experience in the robotics and automation industry. Including the two owners the business has eight employees.
Used in producing products now at the Montezuma site are four robots. Stowell said five more robots are on order, along with an expansion of production floor space and services.
More information about the company’s products and services can be viewed at its web site: www.colewell.com. There the following statement helps describe the business:
“Colewell is a FANU Authorized Systems Integrator and Lincoln Electric Authorized Robotic Integrator offering turn-key automation systems, robot programming, project management, and manufacturing process design services in the Midwest and nationwide. We design and build automated systems for manufacturing and other industries. With our automated solutions, you can integrate robots into custom automation equipment.”
