‘It’s not easy, but it is rewarding’: Family-owned business in Loves Park thrives with metal fabrication

LOVES PARK, Ill. (WTVO) — A family-owned business in Loves Park is busy working nonstop, forming metal into whatever the Stateline needs.

“This is some of our fabricated product,” said Duane Zovitowski, owner of LM Sheet Metal, Inc. He gave a tour of his facility. “This was cut on the laser table. They’re panels for a piece of food service equipment.”

He said the company does a lot, shaping metal into really anything they need to get the job done.

He’s been with the company for about 16 years, with the last two and a half spent as owner.

“It’s not easy, but it is rewarding… I can say that,” he said. “Every day is a new challenge, so it’s just how you manage that.”

He manages about 40 employees. They can make almost anything out of metal, like platforms, tables, HVAC units and way more.

He explained the process of making a product.

“The process first starts with the design.,” he said. “Once we design it, probably a day in the office for someone to draw it up. Once they draw it up, then it’s a matter of throwing a sheet on the table and then putting a program what cut number it is and just let the machine cut it out.”

“From the sheering or cutting process, we come into our forming. We have a 175-ton press brake,” he explained.

“Once it’s formed, whether it’s brake formed or we have a roll former there to make round pieces, then it goes to one of the weld tables there, and that’s where someone will weld everything up, fit it and weld it,” he said.

Zovitowski said the company has been owned by several families since opening in 1981. He’d like to keep it that way.

“It’s still a family-oriented facility,” he said. “I think that’s what people enjoy about working here.”

“I think the ultimate goal is just keep serving the community like we have and continue on the legacy that was started prior to us,” he said. “I think that’s all we could ask for.”