Affton High Alum’s Manufacturing Start-Up Receives $50,000 Arch Grant

ST. LOUIS, MO, September 1, 2012—

Unique Metal Solutions, LLC, is one of only fifteen start-up companies—of more than 400 applicants—to be awarded a 2012 $50,000 Arch Grant to further develop its business in St. Louis, Mo.
“Unique Metal Solutions, LLC was chosen after an intensive review process in which we assessed which companies have innovative technology or ideas to do something radically different or in a radically different way,” Arch Grants Executive Director Sarah Spear says. “We are proud and honored to bring such promising start-ups to downtown St. Louis to reap the benefits of the established entrepreneurial movement in our city.”
In addition to the $50,000 support, the Arch Grant package includes free legal, accounting, marketing and cloud computing services and discounted residential and commercial rent among other benefits.
“Receiving an Arch Grant earlier this year has already deeply impacted our business. We have been able to significantly build our inventory, which helps us deliver our product, The ROCKET RACK®, to our customers much more quickly. With these funds, we’ve also been able to develop several new products, which are proving to be very popular with our customers,” Ron Meyer, founder & president of Unique Metal Solutions and designer of the patented ROCKET RACK®.“ We foresee this support helping us reach our goal of tripling our sales by the end of 2013. Through the marketing support provided by Arch Grants, we hope to broaden the awareness of our product and its importance to the food & beverage manufacturing industry.
The ROCKET RACK® is a conduit and pipe support system used in the food & beverage processing industry. It makes installation of pipe and conduit in these facilities significantly faster, safer, and cleaner. The ROCKET RACK® is being used in food & beverage manufacturing facilities throughout the United States. Some customers include Nestle Purina PetCare, Sara Lee, and Ralcorp.
Ron Meyer, attended Affton High School, and graduated in 1982. He resides with his wife & business partner, Julie Meyer, in Labadie, MO.
Arch Grants was established in 2011 and Unique Metal Solutions, LLC, was among its first group of grantees. Arch Grants will begin accepting applicants for 2013 grants in October.
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Arch Grants seeks to create a more robust startup culture and infrastructure in St. Louis. To increase employment growth and establish St. Louis as a place where entrepreneurs want to start and grow their businesses, Arch Grants offers startups funding in the form of grants and supports the startups as they remain or transition to downtown St. Louis. The Arch Grants Business Plan Competition helps to shape the image of St. Louis among aspiring entrepreneurs and others looking to have a formative role in building a new entrepreneurial climate in St. Louis.
To find out more information about Unique Metal Solutions and the ROCKET RACK,