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Klune Industries Releases New Website  

From President to Pioneer

Leader of Klune Industries Forges New Frontier – The Old Fashioned Way

NORTH HOLLYWOOD – On a daily basis, Gordon Clune, President of Klune Industries Inc., makes tough decisions. Running a multi-million dollar company and keeping it a top supplier in the industry is a tough job. However, Gordon’s newest calling will undoubtedly redefine the word “tough” in his book.

Gordon, his wife, Adrienne, children, Aine (15), Justin (12), Conor (9), and niece Tracy (15) have been selected along with two other families to star in a new PBS documentary. “The Frontier House,” produced by the same team from “The 1900 House,” sends these families back to 1883.

Arriving by covered wagon in early May 2001, the family will settle in southern Montana and will spend 4 months creating a homestead using only the tools that were customary in 1883. They must build their own home and grow their own food do everything it takes to survive – all without modern conveniences. Even the mail is limited to “pony express.” Mail to and from the homesteaders will be delayed two weeks to simulate 19th century postal delivery cycles. 

Does a 21st century family have what it takes to settle the 1880s west? Gordon is confident. "We will all share in the challenges of hard labor to build shelters, grow crops, hunt and fish and basically survive until October.”

As for the 21st century business he leaves behind, Gordon is not worried about his hiatus. “I am confident that the very capable Klune Industries team will continue our current path of customer satisfaction and company growth.” 

The company’s leadership is certainly in good hands. From May 5 to October 5, 2001, the executive staff will remain unchanged: Al Egbert, VP of Operations, William Durante, VP Marketing and Sales, and Jeff Higgins, CFO. Founder and Chairman of the Board, Jim Clune, will step in as acting President in Gordon’s absence.

Gathering support for this once in a lifetime opportunity has not been a problem according to Gordon. “My father, Jim Clune, and the Klune Industries team is very supportive of the educational opportunities of this project. We hope to learn many things perhaps forgotten over the last 118 years.”

Filming concludes in early October 2001, and the 6-hour “Frontier House” special will air on PBS in early 2002.

ABOUT KLUNE INDSUTRIES INCORPORATED

Klune Industries, Inc. was started with both ingenuity and old-fashioned hard work. James J. Clune emigrated from Ireland to North America with $17 in his pocket. Starting out as a janitor, he was offered a chance by a shop supervisor to learn the welding trade. 

Jim Clune founded Klune Industries (www.klune.com) as a one-man weld shop in May 1972. Klune Industries currently focuses on aircraft, aerospace, and computer chassis markets. The company operates in North Hollywood, California, and in Spanish Fork, Utah. Combined facilities are located on 18 acres of land, utilizing 238,000 square feet of factory space, employing approximately 400 people. Sales have grown steadily and continue to do so as Klune Industries, Inc. increases services to better support their customers.