Cheers to 45 years

RANDOLPH – More than four decades ago, Paul Loberg’s work ethic fused with his love of repair to form Paul’s Welding.

The Randolph business is celebrating its 45th anniversary this month - 45 years of providing the area with welding and repair work of all kinds.

On Sept. 1, 1979, the “hammer was passed” from Louie Broer, owner of Broer Blacksmith, to Loberg who started the welding business.

The original welding shop was located at 118 S. Main St., which still has the blacksmith sign carved into the building’s facade. Broer Blacksmith had been in business for 50 years before it was sold to Loberg.

Loberg worked in the blacksmith building for the first 12 years but soon found himself outside in the weather as larger and larger equipment needing his expert repair became the norm.

“Farming practices have changed with no need for plowshares and cultivation sweeps,” he said. “The equipment is all larger.”

As farming practices changed locally, fewer gates and feeders were needed, along with less dairy milking equipment.

About 30 years ago, he moved to his current location on Hughson Street which allowed the equipment to expand along with his business offerings.

Loberg added sporting goods to the shop over the years including archery equipment, bows, accessory and other hunting supplies.

Paul’s Welding became a Bowtech dealer in 2003. “People are amazed at my extensive inventory, saying, ‘We didn’t think you’d have that,’ ” Loberg said.

Over a span of 45 years, Loberg has worked on some memorable repair projects including his own. He’s made his own business equipment including shelving, racks, presses and a crane.

Loberg has been a one-man shop for all the welding business’ 45 years except for a shop cat to keep him company. He also employs a part-time book keeper; there have been six working in that capacity over the four-plus decades.

Loberg said the best part about doing business in Randolph is knowing his customers on a first-name basis.

“I just like what I do,” he said. “Every job is different. There’s not any job that’s the same in the repair part. That’s pretty neat and I guess, challenging.”