MUSCATINE, Iowa — Doug Buster started a family business in 2003 with a chop saw and a vision to provide a resource that no one else in the area offered.

Fabricators Plus, 3206 Hershey Ave., is the product of an entrepreneurial dream for Buster and his wife, Theresa, who both worked for HNI Corp. for 19 and 14 years, respectively. Their oldest son, Joshua, has helped get the business going as well.

“HNI needed a local manufacturer to procure the process for machining, punching, prepping, kiting the product and delivering it to their production lines,” Doug Buster said of the aluminum manufacturing his company offers.

A desire to operate their own business combined with experience they had gained from working for HNI gave the Busters the initiative to start the business. They operate a lean system by reducing and eliminating waste — and wasted time in the processes. A new warehouse is being built to accommodate the growing company and will be located in the same industrial area. The Busters will no longer have to rent, and their work space will increase from 38,000 square feet to 52,500 square feet.

Their staff has grown to 75 people who make up a team of problem solvers and production workers.

The company recently purchased a high-precision laser cutter so that local companies do not have to send their materials out of town to be cut to perfection.

“All of these jobs weren’t in Muscatine six years ago. We did not take jobs from anyone,” Doug Buster said, adding that recent layoffs at HNI have allowed him to hire some of the quality workers who have lost their jobs.

Buster said the company has six customers who keep his facility busy with orders. He stays close with the customers in order to pay attention to their needs.

The Busters take pride in their business and the way that they have been able to provide jobs and services to their community. The Busters both graduated from Muscatine High School in 1980 and have been married for 27 years. They have five children, Joshua, 25, Jennaca, 24, Jacob, 22, Jerra 20, and Jordan, 13, who were raised in Muscatine. The full company name is Five J-Inc. Fabricators Plus because of the five children whose names begin with the letter J.

The Busters have worked with the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce & Industry to focus the business and offer a product that is in demand.

“They have focused their efforts on being a quality, low-cost provider,” said Greg Jenkins, director of economic and community development at the Muscatine Chamber.

Theresa Buster said her husband is the creative one who continually pushes the business past its goals and to new heights. He is branching out and six months ago began producing Buster’s Utility Trailers and hopes to get a patent on his design soon.

“This trailer pulls from the axles forward for better weight distribution instead of just pulling from the front of the trailer,” he said. “There are few visible welds on the decking and ramps can be on the back or side for loading.”

The Busters plan to continue working on their need-based product line and relationship with customers.

“We want a close relationship so our customers know we will work with them to provide the customized products they need,” Doug Buster said.