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Sig model aircraft will keep flying from right
here in good old Montezuma!

Sig sold - with plans to grow (and stay) here
Feb. 22, 2011

Sig has been sold.

But the model airplane and hobby accessories manufacturer will remain in Montezuma.

And, the three new owners - one of whom is vice president and general manager (and Montezuma resident) David Martin - plan to grow the company.

Martin said the transaction was completed on Friday, Feb. 18, between former owner Chris Le Heron of New Zealand and the team of Herb Rizzo and Ron Petterec, both from the Chicago area, and himself.

"Other companies were interested," Martin said. "But all of the other options would have resulted in the company being moved."

That means the company - founded in 1951 - will remain in town to observe its 60th anniversary this year.

Martin said that Hazel Sig-Hester of Montezuma, one of the company's founders, is pleased with that and this reporter was able to confirm that reaction on Saturday.

The firm, now to be known officially as Sig Mfg. Co., Inc., employs about 30 people. Martin said he anticipates the company will accept applications for employment in the near future.

"I think if employees are nervous, it is reflected in their local spending habits," Martin said.

He said new ownership will bring new ideas, resources and marketing concepts into play.

Rizzo, the new company president, owns a heating and air conditioning business in the Chicago area.

Petterec is retired after owning and operating a tool and die company.

"Both were or are successful business people," Martin said.

Martin has been at Sig for about six-and-one-half years.

All of them are active modelers. "Well, the other two might be more active than I am right now!" said Martin through his characteristic smile.

"Herb and Ron have come to the Sig Fly-Ins for many years," Martin said. "And I have known Hazel (Sig-Hester) since I was 12 years old."

"I grew up in the hobby industry," he said. His family had ownership in Hobby Lobby International of Brentwood, Tennessee (not the Hobby Lobby craft stores) and he met Hazel at a trade show in Toledo, Ohio. "I would see her there every year," he said.

During 1975 and '76, Martin attended Grinnell College. "I visited Sig a few times, and I skiied at Fun Valley," he said.

Martin later moved to Germany and has resided in other parts of the U.S. 

Sig some time ago purchased Kavan, a German firm similar to Sig. His wife, Andrea, was president of Kavan and will remain so, although ownerhip of Kavan will remain with Le Heron's corporation in New Zealand.

The Martins' daughter, Charlotte, "graduated from Montezuma High School and got a good job right out of college," David Martin said. "Our son, Norman, is a sophomore in high school and is doing well here."

Noting that Sig once thrived in part because of its unique product offerings, Martin noted that "all products have competition today." But people will make a difference in making Sig grow, he said.

"There are still not a lot of places like us that offer full airplane kits," he said.

The firm still imports balsa wood from Ecuador, "and we have a saw room," Martin said. "Not a lot of companies have that."

"Most of our business is from outside Iowa," Martin said. But he noted that with the Internet, Montezuma is accessible to a global market.

You can visit Sig at www.sigmfg.com.

"I think our employees are ecstatic," Martin said. "Both of the other owners will be here from time to time. We will stay in Montezuma," he said. "I think that gives everyone a secure feeling."

Sig has been sold - but will remain in Montezuma.

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