Polymer Conversions Inc. plans to spend $3.7 million to boost its manufacturing space more than 50 percent with a 20,000-square-foot addition in the coming year.
``We have experienced steady growth over the last two years. The expansion is mostly driven to prepare for continued growth and to support customers in health-care components and devices,'' said Ben Harp, chief operating officer, in a May 11 telephone interview.
He said the Orchard Park, N.Y., custom injection molder will break ground as soon as all permits are in place, and the addition will be ready in eight to 12 months.
The company currently operates 21 injection molding presses in a 37,000-square-foot facility. Harp said that the addition will give it room for at least 12 more presses, which will be added as the need arises.
He said the company has seen growth in health-care components and devices, but also does automotive, industrial and biometrics work.
The privately held company was started by the husband-and-wife team of Jack and Joan Bertsch 27 years ago, and they still run the operation. As a custom molder, they have developed a computer-integrated manufacturing center that includes a class 10,000 clean room molding area. It offers in-house design, assembly and other value-added services. Polymer Conversions also is ISO 9001:2000 certified.
The company got a boost in its expansion efforts May 8 when the Erie County Industrial Development Agency approved $427,000 in tax breaks.
``They are certainly an important company. There are a couple of reasons why we thought to do injection molding. They are part of the life-science cluster that we are working to promote in the region. Another important reason is that Orchard Park is a suburb of Buffalo and 80-95 jobs make it a significant employer,'' said John Cappellino, director of development for the agency.
He said retaining the company's 80 jobs in the region is important. There is also the promise that PC will add 15 jobs in the next two years.
Cappellino said the project also promises to create $200,000 more in tax revenue.
