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ST. JAMES— RPS Manufacturing, LLC, doing business as M².Shocks, has been in business since 2003, creating custom performance shocks for the power sports market worldwide. Marcus McBain, owner, has a diverse background in the racing world as first a consultant, then instructor and now custom shock manufacturer for the drag race market. Recently, with the help of Meramec Regional Planning Commission’s (MRPC) small business loans program, McBain decided to expand his operation to include three new production lines – to better serve the Harley Davidson, Metric Sport Bikes and road racing markets.

In order to expand the business, McBain used MRPC’s Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program as part of his financing package. The RLF is a long-term fixed rate loan typically between $20,000 and $100,000, or up to 40 percent of the total project. With an RLF loan, one job per $20,000 loaned must be created. McBain has already hired two new employees and plans to hire a third. These loans can be used for purchases of land or buildings, renovations, machinery/equipment, furniture and fixtures, working capital or inventory and soft costs. Meramec Regional Development Corporation (MRDC), who oversees MRPC’s loan programs, works in partnership with local banks on all projects.

McBain worked with Jon Rapp, vice president and branch manager of Phelps County Bank in St. James.

M².Shocks has been very successful in the industry creating shocks for customers in the United States, as well as exporting to customers overseas. The problem, and thus the expansion, came because M².Shocks production relies on parts outsourced by other vendors in order to create the final product – the shocks. There was an ongoing problem of the parts not being readily available, which resulted in delayed manufacturing and an inability to keep up with clientele demand. In order to fix this, McBain decided to expand his business to include the manufacturing of the parts required to construct the final product and prevent delays with customers in the future.

“We set world records 14 times last year with our customers,” McBain said. “We are the leading manufacturer in the motorcycle drag race market, and now we intend to have the same success in our new markets.”

M².Shocks is located at 2301 Old St. James Road, Rolla and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information about M².Shocks and what they have to offer visit them at www.m2shocks.com or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/M2.Shocks.

For more information on MRPC’s small business loans program, contact Maria Bancroft at 573-265-2993 Ext. 114 or at mbancroft@meramecregion.org.

Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. A professional staff of 23, directed by the MRPC board, offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.

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