The list is a who’s who of the largest US companies, including Amazon, SpaceX and Walmart. The Auburn-based manufacturer supplies 190 customers, according to owner Tom Herbert.

“For these clients, we may have one program or 40, 50 or 100 different programs,” he told The Citizen. “It’s fun to work here because you’re not doing the same thing day after day.”

Herbert bought Bo-Mer Plastics, founded in 1946, in 2001. In taking over the company, he decided to move away from manufacturing auto parts – a move that shook the company’s customer base, he says.

During a recent tour for The Citizen, Herbert and his son TJ showcased some of the company’s products, from parts for robotics companies to covers for medical devices.

Although plastics are still part of Bo-Mer’s business, the company also offers other services, including electrical and mechanical assemblies, as well as metal fabrication and painting.

“We’re like a one-stop shop,” said Tom Herbert. “Our customers, our buyers, are much happier when they deal with just one company rather than half a dozen.”

One example of Bo-Mer’s growth is the 2006 purchase of EarthPlanter, a manufacturer of self-watering commercial planting systems. EarthPlanter’s customers include cities and colleges, and the city of Auburn is one of the municipalities that uses the company’s planters.

Bo-Mer also makes parts for NovoTHOR’s light therapy beds. The devices look similar to tanning beds but are used to reduce inflammation, aid recovery from injuries and treat other health problems.

“It makes you proud because many of our products help people in one way or another,” said Herbert.

Bo-Mer has expanded over the years, including acquiring a neighboring building in 2016. Herbert didn’t think that facility would outgrow it, but four years later – just as the COVID-19 pandemic began – the company was exploring further expansion.

After the expansion project was delayed due to the pandemic, Bo-Mer is now planning a 2,800 square meter addition to its existing facility. The project also includes loading docks, parking spaces and a new driveway.

EarthPlanter’s success is one of the reasons for the expansion project. Bo-Mer is used to growing by 5 to 6 percent annually, Herbert explained, but EarthPlanter’s business is growing by 30 to 40 percent annually.

The lack of space in the manufacturing facility, according to TJ Herbert, means EarthPlanter builds to order. It can take a week or two to fill orders, he said. There are days when they get a rush of orders that can take four weeks to complete.

“Hopefully with more warehouse space we can build inventory of our popular products and deliver them the same or next day,” he said.

Bo-Mer employs 65 people, up from 22 since Tom Herbert bought the company. The Herberts praised their employees for their hard work. Unlike some manufacturers where most or all functions are automated, much of Bo-Mer’s work requires manual labor.

Given the skills required, finding workers can be difficult, especially in today’s working world. Tom Herbert believes there are several factors contributing to the problems with the labour market, from the education of young people to the availability of government benefits.

Bo-Mer has a core group of employees, Herbert said, who have worked there for an average of 16 to 17 years. Some employees have been there for 20 or 30 years, others are new to the company.

The cost of doing business in New York and utilities are also a challenge. Moving Bo-Mer to another state could increase the company’s profits by as much as 12 percent, Herbert said. But the labor shortage remains an obstacle.

Despite these difficulties, Herbert is proud of what Bo-Mer has accomplished in Auburn, and the company has continued to evolve since he purchased it nearly a quarter century ago.

“It’s a cool story,” he said. “Just seeing how it’s grown and the customers we’re dealing with today is really cool.”