The Family Business
As the third generation of Sagers join Jeffrey Machine,
current owner Jeffrey Sager looks back on a career
that started with his father Frank
In 1977, Frank Sager opened the
doors to Jeffrey Machine (named for
his son and current owner Jeffrey
Sager) as a small machine, tool and
die shop in Birmingham, Ala. Frank, a
machinist and metal fabricator with
many years of experience, created tools
to the exact design request of his customers.
Jeffrey joined the family business
in 1986. He learned his dad’s trade
and began working primarily with augers
shortly after; first repairing them
and later rebuilding them, often resulting
in a better tool than the original.
It was a natural progression to fill the
auger market demand and to begin
manufacturing better tools to hold up
to Alabama’s limestone and rocky soil.
“Our very first auger customer was
Alabama Power, we had instructions
from them for utility needs and we got
to work. We delivered and they are still
a valued customer today,” said Jeffrey.
“This is when we started to break into
the utility category and moving into
other markets in and around Alabama.”
CAREER PROFILE
Growth
In 2001, a 20,000-square-foot shop was
built and due to increasing demands,
another of equal size was constructed
in 2002. Another expansion completed
in 2007 brought the facility to over
100,000 square feet, making Jeffrey
Machine one of the world’s largest
independent auger manufacturers.
“When we purchased this property,
we knew we would build our facility
to meet our needs and that it would
allow us to continue to grow. We have
By Christine Fournier
PHOTOS: JEFFREY MACHINE
PILING CANADA 55