Advanced Cable Ties Inc. is taking steps to double its manufacturing capacity in the next three to five years with the addition of a 53,000-square-foot facility next to its existing building in Gardner, Mass.
“It's going up now and should be completed by April of next year,” said Michael Marcinkiewicz, chief financial officer at Advanced Cable Ties, in a phone interview.
ACT worked with the city of Gardner and MassDevelopment, the state's finance and development agency, to finance the new addition. MassDevelopment issued an $8 million tax-exempt bond on behalf of ACT and UniBank purchased the bond.
The new building will be used for manufacturing, warehouse and office space. The funds also will be used to purchase injection molding machines, molds, dryers, robots, a silo and auxiliary equipment.
Marcinkiewicz said the project is actually in second phase of a plan put in place by founder Ken Tomasetti when he brought the company to Gardner in 1998. The company currently is in a 58,000 square foot facility, on land that can accommodate a second and third phase, when needed.
“We're up to capacity and need to expand. Not only are our existing customers growing, but we continue to grow with new customers,” Marcinkiewicz said.
ACT makes nylon cable ties and wiring accessories used in many different industries, ranging from electrical to aerospace and medical. Marcinkiewicz said the telecommunications sector has been strong due to the ties' 20-30 year life span. The cable ties range from 4 to 48 inches long.
Marcinkiewicz said the ties have gained acceptance because of their quality and tensile strength.
The company has about 140 employees, including part-time workers, and has 15 all-electric injection molding machines. The presses range from 80 to 650 tons of clamping force.
ACT expects the project to create 60 jobs.
“The city and Gardner Redevelopment Authority continue to work effectively with MassDevelopment in enhancing Advanced Cable Ties' latest expansion efforts. The issue of bonds through MassDevelopment complements outer local and state resources being utilized for the growth of one of Gardner's industrial leaders,” said Gardner Mayor Mark Hawke, in a news release.