Snyder Industries Inc. has expanded into California by acquiring a rotational molder in Chowchilla.
Snyder bought Central California Container Inc. for undisclosed terms. The Chowchilla facility is the sixth plant for the Lincoln, Neb., firm, said Snyder Chief Executive Officer Howard Gross.
Gross said his firm has participated in the California market, but having production there will improve service to West Coast customers.
"The West Coast is the largest market in water and septic products and we plan a strong presence," Gross said in a telephone interview.
Snyder Industries, known for its stake in agricultural and industrial rotomolded parts, recently added water and septic products in other parts of the United States.
Gross said Snyder Industries had plans to build a plant in California, but the acquisition was a faster way to establish itself there. Snyder plans to double production capacity in Chowchilla with two new carousel, independent-arm rotomolding machines within six months. It also will double floor space to 25,000 square feet. Total expense of the expansion probably will reach $1.6 million, Gross estimated.
Central, established in 1989, was owned by Kevin Williams and Dan Humphries, who will continue with the company. The unit has been renamed Snyder California Container. Williams will be West Coast operations director and Humphries will be West Coast sales manager, Williams said.
Gross and Williams did not reveal terms of the purchase, which was finalized Feb. 12. Snyder also operates two rotomolding plants in Lincoln, one in Arkansas, one in Alabama and another in West Virginia.