By: Deborah Johnson Wood
Allen Extruders in Holland recently broke ground on a 25,000-square-foot factory addition that will add a manufacturing line and bring the company's total lines to six. The company manufactures thermoplastic sheeting used for vacuum forming or thermo forming into products like RV fenders and truck running boards.
Along with the extension and the new line, Allen will add new equipment and at least eight new factory jobs.
“This new line represents 20 percent growth for us,” says Mike Angell, general manager. “We’ve primarily been servicing customers within a 500 mile radius, but now we’re trying to expand nationally and internationally. We’ve just begun marketing in some areas, working through manufacturers reps and with our direct sales people to focus on the Southwest and Northwest United States.”
Angell says that as the company grows there will be a need for technical staff and sales representatives. He says that although the economy is challenging right now, a diverse customer base and no offshore competition enables Allen Extruders to corner the market.
“Our product and the way it’s used doesn’t require very expensive tooling, so it’s a little less risky for our customers to get into production,” Angell says. “And we really haven’t had competition from China; our product gathers moisture quickly, and our customers have to form it soon after delivery or they have to dry it, and that costs money. It hasn’t made sense to try to serve this market from overseas.”
Angell expects the new addition to be completed by the end of the year. Lakewood Construction is handling the construction.
Source: Mike Angell, Allen Extruders; Tom Murdoch, Murdoch Marketing
Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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