Control systems maker ProSystems Integration LLC is settling into its new facility in Westerly, R.I., where it shares a space with custom single-screw extruder manufacturer US Extruders Inc.
ProSystems occupies about 18,000 square feet in the 48,000-square-foot facility. US Extruders owns the Westerly building, which runs on 100 percent solar power.
"The driving force was more space for the company growing in size and then it also cut overhead costs, increasing our capabilities as well," John Brunelle, president of ProSystems, said during an April 3 phone interview.
"We're just, I think like every company, trying to continue to grow and become stronger," he added.
ProSystems relocated from a 13,000-square-foot facility in Ashaway, R.I., to the Westerly facility in September. Westerly is less than 5 miles from Ashaway.
It is not the first time ProSystems has moved in order to be strategically closer to a machinery maker. Around 2008, the company first relocated to the Ashaway facility from Plainfield, Conn., to work next door to American Kuhne Inc. At that time, ProSystems was the single-screw extruder maker's controls supplier.
"We're still supporting their equipment, and we do still have a lot of legacy equipment of theirs out there, but actively we have no contracts in-house from them," Brunelle said of the relationship.
US Extruders was formed in August 2017 and includes several former American Kuhne employees.
The company's extruders can be equipped with ProSystems' ProControl operating package, which consists of three levels. Each level — ProControl Deluxe, Lite or DCR — has its own hardware and software, and is designed to improve overall production.
"We work with a lot of other OEMs as well, but it was just a good fit due to the local area," Brunelle said, adding that the shared facility increases exposure to potential customers.
At NPE2018, taking place May 7-11 in Orlando, Fla., ProSystems and US Extruders will be sharing exhibition space at Booth S32133.
