Unimoose Enterprises shifts from mobile repairs to custom fabrication

Amid shelves of tools, a belt sander fabrication equipment, and a brand new plasma cutting table, all of which are packed into an 800 square foot garage in Grand Marais, Matthew Stone is reshaping his welding and repair business.

Stone, the owner of Unimoose Enterprises, LLC, is expanding beyond on-the-spot mobile repairs into a world of custom fabrication and creative potential.

For the past three and a half years, he has been running a one-man mobile welding and repair operation in Grand Marais, driving gravel back roads and along Hwy 61 to fix broken RVs, trailers, or vehicles.

“Technology has come super far in the last 10 years,” Stone said. “I can reasonably say I can weld any alloy up to 75 feet away from my truck. So as long as I can drive there, I can fix it.”

A recent knee replacement, however, has hindered his ability to conduct emergency repairs in the field. The medical procedure inspired Stone to pursue other welding and fabrication avenues. “I’m not as nimble as I would like to be, and so I thought it would be best if I moved from relying on repair work to relying on fabrication work,” he said.

Earlier this spring, Stone applied for a business development grant from the Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) to purchase a CNC plasma cutting table, a forklift, an air compressor, and improvements to his garage to support the fabrication aspect of his business. The EDA Board approved the business development grant during the April 15 meeting.

With the new plasma cutting table, Stone will be able to produce custom metal signs, artwork, and more. “It’s a very versatile machine,” he said. Stone said plasma machines are also used in the automotive industry to pre-cut various components before they are manufactured or installed.

Matthew Stone with new plasma cutting machine | Photo by Kalli Hawkins

As he transitions his business into fabrication and production using the plasma machine, Stone intends to collaborate with local businesses to explore potential opportunities. To create and develop designs, Stone will utilize Jonathan Steckelberg, of Studio North Graphics, as a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) resource.

Another component of Stone’s business transformation is a focus on fire suppression equipment, a project he has spent the past couple of years developing in collaboration with the Grand Marais Fire Department.

As electric vehicles (EVs) become increasingly prevalent nationwide, including along the North Shore, numerous fire departments are enhancing their training protocols and acquiring specialized extinguishing tools, as lithium-ion batteries pose unique challenges for firefighters.

In 2024, the Grand Marais Fire Department added an advanced EV extinguishing tool, handmade by Stone. The piece of equipment, which resembles an elongated sprinkler system, can be slid underneath an EV to target the lithium-ion battery strategically.

Matthew Stone & Aaron Mielke with EV Extinguishing Unit

Stone said that since designing and building the EV fire suppression equipment for the Grand Marais Fire Department, he has explored the process of mass-producing the piece of equipment. Stone will develop and distribute the EV suppression units under a DBA called Guardian Fire Suppression.

“I’ve got my first batch of 20 getting ready to mass produce once my plasma table is up and running,” Stone said. A handful of the first batch will be reviewed and inspected by UL Solutions to determine a safety certification. Stone said he is also currently in discussion with a Minnesota-based wholesale distributor for large-scale distribution.

While Unimoose Enterprises, LLC is undergoing a business transformation, Stone said his core mission hasn’t changed. “It’s problem solving. Regardless of whether it’s a new fabrication or a stranded family with an RV camper, it’s a problem, and it’s my job to fix it.”

Stone credits his family and friends for helping him make it happen. He recently welcomed a second child, and despite a full plate, he says the support system around him is what makes Unimoose Enterprises possible.

“I could not be here without my family and my friends,” Stone said. “I really attribute a lot of my success to the community.”

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Matthew Stone about the transition of his business, Unimoose Enterprises, LLC. The audio is below.

Kalli Hawkins July 21, 2025