GILBERT - It's the best kept secret in town.

Range Tool Company, a little known manufacturer in the small Iron Range city of Gilbert, is growing.

The five-year-old manufacturer of firearms components is expanding from its former 930-square-foot facility in owner Michael Peterson's garage to the 14,000 square-foot former Gilbert Curling Club.

"It's been kind of the perfect storm," said Peterson. "This building has sat empty for the last three years, and we have some other business opportunities, so here we go."

Peterson, who grew up in Gilbert, worked as a machinist in the Twin Cities before returning to Gilbert and starting the business in 2010.

Range Tool Company manufactures firearms components such as lower receivers for original equipment manufacturers. Last year, the company manufactured nearly 5,000 parts.

A new CNC vertical machining center will be added to the company's array of high-tech equipment, allowing the company to expand its existing product line.

"We've shipped to every state in the country, including Alaska," said Peterson.

With the expansion, Range Tool Company will expand into the manufacture of suppressors and bring work into the Gilbert facility which previously had been contracted out to other manufacturers.

"This expansion will give us more capability and also the opportunity to diversify into some other product lines or other products," said Peterson.

Within the next few months the expansion will result in the hiring of two to four new employees, bringing the company's total workforce to four to six.

"With the expansion, it will be a lot easier for us to add a second or third shift," said Peterson.

Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation assisted the expansion with a loan.

Pictured above: Michael Peterson, Range Tool Company owner, is expanding the firearms component manufacturer in Gilbert.