AM Stabilizers Corp. is taking steps to double its capacity with a move from Hammond, Ind., to a much larger facility in Valparaiso, Ind., by early 2014.
"We looked at a number of buildings and we're very happy with the city of Valparaiso — we feel that we've developed a good relationship with the city," said Frank Kusbel, Operations Manager at AM Stabilizers, in a telephone interview.
The company, which makes liquid and powder heat stabilizers for flexible and rigid PVC applications, formed in July 2012 when Japanese companies, Mitsubishi Corp. and Adeka Corp. combined to purchase the Halstab division from the Hammond Group Inc.
Kusbel said the company searched for the right location for about eight months and decided on a 120,000 square foot building in Valparaiso, which formerly housed a distribution company. It is currently vacant. The site is about 30 miles east of AM's current facility.
Kusbel said when the sale closes in August, the company will renovate the building with office space, a technology laboratory and two production lines. When it is ready for use, it will employ about 25 workers.
A local newspaper, the Times of Northwest Indiana, said the Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission had approved the sale of the building for $2.77 and that AM Stabilizers will invest more than $1 million in the renovation.
"We hope to grow the business, invest in R&D and grow over the next five years. Our customer focus will be a driving factor," Kusbel said.