Employer Spotlight: Mesco Integrated Material Solutions 

Flint’s Mesco Integrated Material Solutions understands very well that without their customers, there is no business. That’s why they are dedicated to doing everything they can to serve them.  

“We’re here to help solve a problem the customers have,” says Chris Schollar, general manager. “If we can help our customers solve their problems, we’ll never run out of business.” 

Originally incorporated in 1947, Mesco has always been located in the city of Flint. Their first location was in the downtown district, but as the business grew, they eventually moved to their current location on Lapeer Road in 1967. While most people may miss the building as they pass it, their focus on service over flashy presence is part of who they are.  

During its 80 years, Mesco has evolved as customer needs require.

“We started focusing on tool and die room products in the early 1990s. We created what we call a dye pack,” Schollar says. “At the time, when General Motors was building a die, they’d create a bill of material, and they would buy all of the individual products. We had a few of those products, so we shipped them separately and they would have to keep track of all the suppliers and products. Our salesperson at the time was working with someone at the Flint Tool and Die facility and wondered, ‘Why doesn’t Mesco supply everything in a kit or pack and ship it all together so when the die builder is ready, they just open up the pack, and everything is there?’”  

It was this innovation, creating and selling ready-to-use die packs to GM in the 1990s, that helped change how Mesco does business. The die packs made it much easier for shipping and streamlined the process for GM to get things done. It was successful enough that Mesco began to offer the same service to the Ford Motor Company. Later, Mesco began making welding supply kits for GM as well to make that process more streamlined and efficient.  

“We have a niche customer. Our customers are mainly automotive, revolving around the press rooms,” says Schollar. “We’ve been supplying GM with their automation tooling for 15 years. Seven years ago, we started supplying Stellantis with theirs as well, but with them we are also designing their automation tooling.” 

The business grew tremendously in the 2000s and was subsequently sold to an Indian corporation expanding their business into the United States. After years owned by the international company, Schollar, his wife, and another partner were able to buy the business back in 2021 and return it to the family.  

“I started working here when I was 16 as a summer job,” Schollar says. “My dad worked here at the time, and his dad worked here as well.”  

There is a sense of family to Mesco, one that starts at the top and is part of their culture.  

“We get along well. We’re pretty relaxed and laid back here,” says Schollar. “We are looking for people who are willing to take and follow instructions. Someone who can take constructive criticism and not get defensive, who is punctual and likes to keep moving, and who can focus on the task at hand.” 

In recent years, the business has begun to embrace emerging technologies like 3-D printing and AI to stay up to date and has become dedicated to reducing waste by instituting a recycling program. All of this is possible because of the strong team they have assembled. Employees of Mesco enjoy profit-sharing, as well as 401k benefits and healthcare.  

“There’s a real camaraderie here,” Schollar says. “We’re all very friendly and just here to help the customer.”  

To learn more about Mesco Integrated Material Solutions and future job opportunities, head to their website.