Roesch Inc. expanding its docks

A century-old Belleville manufacturer is expanding its operations.

Porcelain enamel manufacturer Roesch Inc. is currently expanding its docks that border the railroad that crosses West Main Street near Lindenwood University to provide more storage space for orders to be shipped.

Company president Mike Koenigstein said Erlinger Construction in Belleville is building walls along the existing docks to protect finished parts from rain.

Roesch (rhymes with “fresh”) was founded in Belleville in 1916 as a porcelain enamel contract manufacturer. During the 1920s, the company also manufactured coal and gas cooking ranges. By the 1940s, the company added metal fabrication for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning manufacturers and the makers of cooking appliances. During the 1970s, Roesch developed its line of Ice Maid ice coolers, which stores bags of ice sold at convenience stores.

Today, Roesch employs 70 between its plant at 100 N. 24^th St. in Belleville and another across the state in Evansville, where the company continues to make porcelain enamel parts for ranges, ovens, heat exchangers and burners for gas furnaces, and ice vending machines.

Koenigstein said the dock expansion is expected to be finished later this month.

Mechanic to relocate shop in Belleville

A Belleville auto repair shop will be moving soon. Car-Tech Automotive anticipates a relocation to 332 Centreville Ave., just a few blocks from their current locale at 935 B South Belt West. The business was founded in 1992. Current owners Jerrod and Dorthea Davis have operated Car-Tech Automotive for the past three years.

Belleville doctor moves office to Swansea

Belleville physician Don Adams has relocated his practice to Swansea. Dr. Adams has moved from 333 S. Illinois St. in Belleville to 3 Park Place in Swansea. His practice is part of the Memorial Medical Group.

O’Fallon photographer recognized

A metro-east photography studio has made a list of the nation’s top 5,000 fastest-growing private companies. Inc. magazine has named Salvatore Cincotta Photography in O’Fallon to its Inc. 5000. Business owner, founder and namesake Salvatore Cincotta is an award-winning international photographer who works out of his studio at 226 State St. His business ranked No. 1,598 on the Inc. 5000 list.

Keep on truckin’

And finally, Belleville resident Dennis Ohlendorf has been awarded the 2015 National Association of Small Trucking Companies Driver Of The Year.

Ohlendorf is a truck driver for Cayenne Express Inc. in Dupo, where he has been employed for the past 12 years. He has been a professional truck driver since 1975 and has compiled more than 4.3 million miles behind the wheel without an accident.

This story was originally published December 13, 2015 at 1:00 PM with the headline "Roesch Inc. expanding its docks."