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The first step is to gather as much research about the weapon as possible, including old photographs and engineering designs, if they are available, which is rare. Then Dennis Gann, who is also a mechanical engineer, dismantles and reassembles a transparent image of the gun using a computer assisted design, or CAD, program to make sure the new receiver fits, looks right and interfaces with all the moving parts of the original weapon. Ideally, the CAD program will reveal any design flaws before the image is sent to one of the big computerized milling machines for output in steel. After the parts are milled they’re placed in a tumbler to remove sharp edges, then installed and tested in a test cell. “I don’t think most people even know we’re here,” said Bero. “We are quietly using the brain power of our town for R&D and production.”
That’s one of the things the former Silicon Valley entrepreneur likes about Vernonia. It’s quiet, the cost of living is low, and the people are honest, hardworking and friendly.
“I could have this business anywhere,” he said.
Bero, 45, got his start in business 25 years ago when he founded Technetwork Inc. in San Jose, Calif. Technetwork specialized in building robots that built computer floppy disks. After a long period of working 60-hour weeks, Bero finally burned out and took a year off. During that sabbatical a friend said he ought to look into remanufacturing firearms. Bill Clinton was president at the time and was threatening to crack down on gun ownership, and particularly on ownership of assault weapons.
Clinton’s disposition toward firearms precipitated a run on gun ownership.
“Clinton was doing all kinds of crazy things,” said Bero, “He was the best gun salesman ever.”
Bero tapped into the gun-buying frenzy, by finding a niche in remanufacturing collectibles, and he found fertile ground for his efforts in Vernonia where people “weren’t as afraid of firearms as they were of high tech.” TNW hires and trains all of its employees locally and pumps $500,000 a year of payroll dollars into the local economy.
Bero is an outspoken cheerleader for economic development in and around Vernonia, where he believes other companies can profit from the same factors he found attractive — low cost of living, a good workforce and proximity to a metropolitan area with an abundance of equipment and raw materials.
Bero, who has an authentic 50-calliber machine gun, a grenade launcher and several other guns setting on the floor of his office says he is “not into guns” that guns are simply stock in trade.
“I’m into mechanical engineering,” he said, “and business. We could just as easily be making airplane parts at the Vernonia airport.” Bero has a zoning application before the county to create an airpark with “flex space” for businesses like his at the Vernonia airport.
TNW Firearms is expanding, and diversifying. Bero and his crew recently engineered transparent portable, bulletproof panels used by U.S. forces in Iraq, and weapon training systems for which they received an award from the Department of Homeland Security.
“We got a call from the military that ‘Our guys are getting shot riding in the back of our Humvee’s; what are we gonna do,” Bero said of the military contract. “Everybody here can’t wait to get on something like this because we can make a difference right here in Vernonia. It’s a good feeling.”
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This Tim Bero guy is the one who created the HUGE stink and tangled with Pat Zimmerman at the Vernonia candidates forum, isn't he? I was so disappointed when I read that story here in the Spotlight, that a citizen of our community would behave that way towards a political candidate.
I wonder what Vernonia citizens think of having a business like this in their community. Obviously the first poster here isn't thrilled.
(email verified)
Tue, Jun 17, 2008 at 05:12 PM
To "Vernonia citizen".. What is it about his business that bothers you? Why would you want him pumping half a million dollars a year into some other cities economy?
(email verified)
Tue, Jun 17, 2008 at 05:12 PM
Sick. Sick. Sick.
What a thug.
(email verified)
Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 03:44 PM
Jews everywhere must be delighted that Bero the Bully recreates tools of The Holocaust.
Oy vey.
(email verified)
Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 03:54 PM
"zak", where do you get your figures for the alleged half-million dollars a year being pumped into the local economy? The people of Vernonia are honest hardworking and friendly, with one notable exception in a guy who tries to intimidate his neighbors and bully elected officials. It'd be worth double that to see him go back to California.
(email verified)
Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 11:32 PM
Yeah, I don't get zak's numbers either... it's not like there is sale tax being charged or some other more tangible benefit for the community.
I'm curious why the Spotlight chose to run a story like this, after all it's the "South County" Spotlight and typically Vernonia news is not much a part of this paper. I suppose it's the result of Mr. Bero being in the news lately?
(email verified)
Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Laugh Laugh Laugh
"Ohmigawd! A man with icky guns is in our community! Oh Oh What Shall We Do?"
Grow up, libs. There's worse things that this guy's business to steam your hot tubs.
(email verified)
Fri, Jun 20, 2008 at 04:04 PM
What worse things would those be, Allan? Do tell.
(email verified)
Fri, Jun 20, 2008 at 05:13 PM
Whats the issue here, the same type of business is being operated out of Scappoose.
Weapons are being assembled and sold out of the Malarkey Ranch for the past couple of years. I believe the name is Allied Armament.
You may have seen the sign posted at the Scharf Property across from Fred Meyer. Maybe that is their showroom, I haven't checked. Check out their website.
They sell the big stuff, .50 caliber ammo and .30 caliber. WWII era weapons converted to fire semi-auto.
If your gonna pick on one, pick on all of them. I own multiple firearms and am a collector, I just don't like one person being picked on while another is left alone.
(email verified)
Fri, Jun 20, 2008 at 08:34 PM
Thanks for the tip! Let's shut 'em all down.
(email verified)
Sat, Jun 21, 2008 at 01:04 AM
It would be helpful if the reporter on this story would get the facts right. The Spotlight reports: "... TNW Firearms, converts the weapon from an automatic that fires 800 or 900 rounds per minute, now illegal to own under U.S. law, to a semi-automatic..."
The truth is, it is perfectly legal to own fully automatic firearms in the US and in Oregon. The US government, BATF&E, issues class III licenses for that purpose.
It's too bad that ignorance is running rampant in the mountains of Columbia County. The people with the licenses are the good guys. They have been certified by the US Government as such. And to the fool who calls these "tools of The Holocaust," that may be true if they were constructing gas chambers, ovens and killing vans. Again I say, it's a shame that ignorance is so prevalent in Columbia County.
(email verified)
Sat, Jun 21, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Let me guess, Rick Jay... were you one of the folks greeting Pat Zimmerman that evening in Vernonia?
(email verified)
Sat, Jun 21, 2008 at 06:05 PM
I don't care how much money his business contributes to the community of Vernonia or however else he tries to spin it, nothing gives this guy the right to intimidate his neighbors and bully/bribe county officials into illegally acquiring and developing state protected lands. And personally, I'm appreciative to Pat Zimmerman for pointing that out to the Columbia County Planning Commission.
(email verified)
Sat, Jun 21, 2008 at 09:41 PM
I'm not Pat, and 'state-protected lands' is not a proprietary phrase. I'll say it all day long and never be Pat. I'll say it 20 times a day from here to Christmas 2049 but I'll never be Pat. Another thing I'll say all day long is that the frighteningly thuggish tactics used by certain people to intimidate and bully other people are beyond shameful! They have absolutely no respectable place in a civilized society! These violent thugs bring shame on themselves, their families, and our community. Shame on you!
Attention Editor: Certain comments by a named person above really should be judged to contain language that defies The Spotlight's stated policies regarding personal attacks and libel.
Let us review the policy:
"Comments judged to be inappropriate for publication due to personal attacks, unsubstantiated allegations of criminal activity, libel or other objectionable content will be removed."
I'm not Pat, but if I were, I'd be consulting my attorney about being libeled by both the named poster above and by the newspaper publishing his posts.
(email verified)
Sun, Jun 22, 2008 at 04:19 PM
Well, Mr. Jay, hate to break the news to you but there are a whole lot of folks who disagree with you. There are many of us who see the value in preserving forest land and appropriate planning for such. Creating jobs no matter what it costs us is not necessarily a true gain.
Ms. Zimmerman is very knowledgeable on land use issues? Are you? Become knowledgeable yourself before you go around badmouthing people who are not only acting on behalf of the community, but who are working inside the law (including state and federal).
I support Ms. Zimmerman's work. And I really think those such as yourself, Mr. Jay, who can think of no better argugment than to badmouth her in a personal way need to find a more appropriate and effective argument. As is stands, your bullying comments hardly deserve rebuttal and stand true as a testament to your self-serving agenda.
(email verified)
Sun, Jun 22, 2008 at 04:23 PM
Sorry Rick, but your ignorance has given you away. I'm not Pat, but before you speak on behalf of Columbia County residents and go calling someone an abusive liar, take the time to look up OAR Chapter 660. What you should really be tired of is all the 'back-room' deals being made behind your and my backs by county officials.
(email verified)
Sun, Jun 22, 2008 at 04:29 PM
PAT
If you can not find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it?
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Live so that when your children think of fairness and integrity, they think of you.
~ H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
The American people are tired of liars and people who pretend to be something they're not.
Hillary Clinton
(email verified)
Sun, Jun 22, 2008 at 05:38 PM
PAT
If you can not find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it?
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Live so that when your children think of fairness and integrity, they think of you.
~ H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
The American people are tired of liars and people who pretend to be something they're not.
Hillary Clinton
(email verified)
Sun, Jun 22, 2008 at 05:38 PM
That's why no one really cares about or believes what you have to say, Mr. Jay, as you seemingly have no meaningful or insightful words of your own to share.
No one likes a bully. And the quotes do nothing to salvage your previous rudeness; after all, any fool can cut-and-paste. Your integrity has flown the coop.
(email verified)
Sun, Jun 22, 2008 at 07:34 PM
Pat please control your abusive ugly anger..have you ever looked into anger counseling, I recommend it....
My original thought was....
Tim Bero: almost 20 years of running a Columbia County small business successfully, hiring local citizens, making payroll, contributing countless hours to the community, helping other business start-ups, raising a family, helping save and protect U.S. military personel in harms way. OR
Pat "You reap what you sow" Zimmerman: none of the above, political career financed by Sen. Betsy, anti-business, etc.... THIS IS A NO BRAINER
Pat please disclose to the public how much money you have received from Betsy Johnson, John Helm, Bruce Hugo, and the Sheehans during your various campaigns for public office. Inquiring minds want to know? The public has a right to know?
"Truth is such a rare thing, it is delightful to tell it" Emily Dickinson
(email verified)
Mon, Jun 23, 2008 at 07:34 PM
Last I heard, it was Tony Hyde running against Pat Zimmerman, not Tim Bero. Why don't you go ask Mr. Hyde those same questions? And while you're at it, ask him why 'he' didn't advise the planning commission of Bero's potential 660 violation?
(email verified)
Mon, Jun 23, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Obviously Mr. Jay has nothing of substance to contribute. Does this site have an ignore button?
However, anon poster, it sounds like you do know something informative and of great interest. Do tell us more!
(email verified)
Tue, Jun 24, 2008 at 09:48 AM
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Re: Targeting a market
“I could have this business anywhere,” he said."
Great, how about somewhere else?
"A Vernonia Citizen"
(email verified)
Tue, Jun 17, 2008 at 03:50 PM