Pittsburg, Kan.-based Vinylplex Inc. has built a 30,000-square-foot PVC pipe extrusion facility on 20 acres adjacent to its plant in Kansas.
The $750,000 project is being finalized now. President Bill Coleman said the company has not settled on what kind of PVC pipe will be made there.
``I would imagine we will stick with PVC,'' Coleman said in June 6 telephone interview. ``That's our core business, and I'd rather stick with what we know.''
Vinylplex makes PVC pipe primarily for the water and sewer market. The company recently converted two of its extrusion lines to C900 - PVC pipe made to cast-iron dimensions to replace aging infrastructure, Coleman said.
The company's original plant is about 130,000 square feet. It employs about 60.
Many things factored into Vinylplex officials' decision to grow in Pittsburg rather than open a new plant elsewhere, Coleman said.
``PVC all moves on rail, and we have a fantastic rail system,'' he said. ``These are very favorable electric rates, and we have a good, stable workforce. And you can't get much more centrally located than Pittsburgh, Kan.''
Plastics News estimates Vinylplex's annual sales at about $50 million.