Ville Platte Rotary Club welcomes recent guests

During the October 28, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club, Rotarian Wayne Vidrine invited Felicia Manuel, co-owner of Ville Platte Iron Works, to give a brief history of and update on the business. Ville Platte Iron Works opened April 1, 1949, and was started as a welding and fabrication shop by Manuel’s husband, Nick Manuel’s grandfather. After the Manuel’s returned to Ville Platte in 2001, Nick began working in the family business, which was then being run by Nick’s father, David Manuel. In order to expand their business, Nick began learning how to operate the C and C industrial machines. In return, Cameron provided additional business to Ville Platte Iron Works if they invested in one of the large industrial machines. Ville Platte Iron Works began making the internal parts for the large valves used in pipelines for the large company. Ville Platte Iron Works later began sandblasting and coating the valves for Cameron. In 2009, Ville Platte Iron Works moved into the old Holloway building across the street from Cameron and grew from 15 employees to 35 employees. Both Cameron and Ville Platte Iron Works have benefitted from working together in such close proximity. In closing, Felicia announced that the Evangeline Economic Development District had recently selected Ville Platte Iron Works as its top home grown business and presented the company with a special award.
President David Mayeux announced that the Boy Scouts of America contacted the club about becoming a sponsor for the Ville Platte Boy Scout troop. The club members agreed to research the legalities and liability issues of becoming a sponsor for the troop. It was also announced that the group’s Christmas social will be held Tuesday, December 9, and that no meetings will be held on Tuesday, December 23, or Tuesday, December 30, due to the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.