OUR STORY
The story of Charm Engine didn't actually start with engines, it started with field sprayers. That's what Mel Barman (founder) started with but he quickly progressed to repairing engines for hay balers, washing machines, bale elevators, even working on full sized tractors. Soon after starting his repair business, Barkman purchased a Sioux valve grinder, a key piece of equipment that enabled him to better work on small engines. A good investment, that valve grinder is still used at the shop today.
Charm Engine soon began to sell new equipment in addition to doing repairs. A few years later, Barkman built a new building on State Route 557. This location served the growing business for a number of years, but Charm Engine had out-grown the space. In 1989, Barkman sold the business to a group of local businessmen, who acquired the land and built a new showroom and shop at the present location. The business continued to grow and in 1993 Barkman's son-in-law, Paul Shetler, bought the business.
In the years since, the company continued to grow and diversify.They started making their own products including pressure washers, engine mounts, air compressor units, automatic starts and wheel kits for generators, and units to control oil well pump jacks. In 2010, the company returned to selling and servicing riding equipment.
One of their popular products is not engine related at all. It's the Charming Spinner, a laundry spinner that cuts dryer use to one-third the time. It's even more effective for people in the Amish community who primarily use wringer washers and clothes lines for drying laundry.
Charm Engine is a model for people who want to be self-reliant for their power supply. The business uses solar power for much of its needs, using backup power during a few winter months.
In 2010, three of Paul Shetler's sons invested in the business, buying the existing building and adding an 80' x 80' warehouse and loading dock to accommodate the truckload deliveries they receive.
The showroom and warehouse now hold an amazing array of products. Riding Mowers and equipment, trimmers, chainsaws, blowers, generators, tillers, log splitters, snow throwers, water pumps, spinner and air compressors. The company remains a good source of supplies and equipment for timber cutters. Besides chainsaws, they sell and resurface harvester bars, and sell lumber grading supplies and tree climbing equipment.