Raven proceeding in expansion mode
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Raven Industries Inc., based in Sioux Falls, has completed a 26,000-square-foot expansion to its sole film plant that cost ``a little over a million,'' said spokesman Tom Iacarella.
The extra area is needed to accommodate two extruders purchased earlier this year: a three-layer coextrusion line from Kiefel, and a five-layer extruder. The manufacturing site now is 150,000 square feet.
Also, the company has committed to acquire a 70,000-square-foot warehouse in Sioux Falls from Design Tanks Inc., a fiberglass tank manufacturer, for $1.8 million. Iacarella expects Raven to move in by the end of the year.
Iacarella estimates Raven will spend more than $4 million on facilities and equipment this year. General Manager and Vice President Jim Groninger said Raven also will add a laminator.
The company had 2004 film sales of $58.7 million.
Pace Industries Inc. installs new extruder
REEDSBURG, WIS. - Pace Industries Inc. has installed a new extrusion line.
Pace usually manufactures its own extrusion lines for specific applications, such as two lines that were installed last year, said President Blake Pace. But the firm bought its latest line from an unidentified supplier. Pace operates 16 lines in Reedsburg and had 2004 sales of $55.1 million.
The company continues to augment its sheet products. For a long time, Pace was known exclusively for polystyrene, he said.
``We made a procedural decision two years ago to go into polyolefins, and the response has been positive. We'll keep growing to match the demand,'' he said.
The firm will boost its workforce of 155 to assist with the increasing workload, Pace said.
Nexus aims growth at medical market
ONTARIO, CALIF. - Nexus California Inc. will expand its clean room and extrusion capability.
Nexus will double the size of the 7,500-square-foot clean room at its Ontario headquarters, said Chief Executive Officer Mary Esak. The room has two extruders and a third is coming.
``We're going to try to keep [the expansion] under $500,000, but it could cost as much as $1 million,'' she said Aug. 22 by telephone.
Nexus is targeting medical and pharmaceutical markets with the expansion, which should be completed in four to six months. Nexus officials had said they would buy a new plant, but decided instead to expand, she said.