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While you're here, take a minute to look around the links at the top and see what we're all about. You'll find more detailed information about our building, our equipment and how we are involved with the community.

Elm Ridge Manufacturing began in 1979 in Gaston, OR at the home of Bill and ClaraLee Esther. Originally located in the 30' x 34' shop built by Bill and his wife behind their farm house, and located just yards from a century-old elm tree from which the business got its name.

Elm Ridge Mfg. began as a hobby for Bill, who worked with and enjoys live steam model locomotives. Bill and ClaraLee began by producing small brass fittings for live steam engines. This quickly turned into making castings as well as fittings. Not long after, Bill reverse-engineered a full scale water pump and began making Worthington duplex pumps for 1 1/2” scale locomotives.

In 1999 Bill converted the back portion of his hangar on the Independence airport to a shop area. He began with just three machines, and quickly discovered the need for expansion. In April of 2008, we completed work on a fully enclosed, heated and wired shop area measuring 12' x 48'. By August of that year, the business had again outgrown itself. In July of 2009 we began construction on a 40' x 60', two story shop and office building which we are currently moving into.

Elm Ridge Mfg. is a family owned and operated business. We would like to share a little bit about who we are.

Bill and ClaraLee Esther are the husband and wife owners of Elm Ridge Mfg. Together, they have seen the company through since its beginnings. Bill and ClaraLee have been married for 36 years, much of it spent as business partners. Bill spends his free time restoring his 1949 Ercoupe, sometimes referred to as his "aluminum child", and building live model locomotives, specifically 1.5" scale. ClaraLee is an amateur illustrator and artist and enjoys drawing and painting landscapes and vivid childhood memories. She is also a professional grief and loss counselor, and has volunteered with Willamette Valley Hospice, among other organizations, for over 20 years.






Andrew Esther, Bill and ClaraLee's son, serves as the office manager since he formally joined the company in early 2008. The 2nd generation of Esthers to be working here at Elm Ridge, Andrew is currently working his way through school at Chemeketa Community College and will soon be transferring to Oregon State University where he plans to earn an undergraduate degree in business management with a focus in entrepreneurship and a minor in economics. In his free time, Andrew is an avid motorcyclist and outdoor enthusiast. In the spring and summer, he enjoys riding his pride and joy, a 2007 Kawasaki ZX-6R. During the winter months, his focus shifts to snowsports. Admittedly, Andrew loves living in the Northwest where, he says, "the best of everything exists; beaches, mountains and forests all wrapped into one glorious state."






Elijah Esther (seen here with his baby brother, Jack), Bill and ClaraLee's grandson, is the newest addition to Elm Ridge. Fresh out of high school (class of '09), Eli has been an enormous help to both Bill and Andrew when the jobs start stacking up. Although Eli is only part time on the busiest weeks, we hope to continue to grow through 2010 and would like to eventually add him to our full time staff as the 3rd generation of family employees.