LAKE COUNTY — East met West about a decade ago at a trade show.
Rick and Shannon Gunier were a little frantic, lots of wine, no glasses.
Enter Arthur and Maureen Roberts of Lively, Va.
They had lots of glasses, in fact they manufacture about 25,000 a day at ARTon Products. They were glad to share. A friendship was forged.
The Guniers convinced the Roberts family to come West and check out Lake County.
Impressed with what they saw, the Roberts family returned and now have a tentative agreement to purchase the Work Right building at Lampson Field in Lakeport.
The business is 100-percent environmentally-friendly, according to sales/customer service and purchasing manager Lisa Roberts.
Lisa, and brother Brendan Roberts will manage every aspect of the Lakeport operation and provide training.
“Our industry is driven by families. This is a family business,” Arthur said during a celebratory gathering on Tuesday night.
He said they are hoping to open up shop by Oct. 1.
Lisa anticipates an initial hiring of 15 people and building to about 25.
She said employment opportunities will be available in the in the areas of technical, artistic, manufacturing, sales and customer service. Benefits will be available.
Arthur said he started his business 25 years ago, because he wanted to live in a rural area and there were no jobs available, so he created his own.
He said the business has grown substantially and he looks forward to the expansion on the West Coast. He pointed out the convenience of the proximity to clients in the wine country.
Jim Magliulo, President of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, said Tuesday, “This is a great opportunity to get a business here that really supports the wine industry. It opens the welcome gates to other businesses.”
Arthur said the county is supportive and he expects success.
