When you're a 96-year-old company named Cleveland Vibrator Co. and you want a larger building, you look for another location in the city of Cleveland.
You don't go the suburbs.
Company officials announced on Sept. 23 that Cleveland Vibrator is relocating from Cleveland's near west side to a bigger facility on the city's south side.
The company makes material conveying and vibrator screening equipment for a wide range of industries, including recycling, powders, aggregate, mining, agriculture, pharmaceutical, food and medical.
Growing business is the reason for the move to the bigger, more modern facility.
"Relocation of headquarters' personnel and equipment should be complete by the first of the year," CEO Craig Macklin said. "We have seen our growth accelerate over the past eight years, and we need a larger space to continue serving our customers at the highest level."
Cleveland Vibrator was founded in 1923 in a one-car garage. The company has operated at its current location since 1953, which measures 28,000 square feet.
The new building, which was previously occupied by a printing company, measures 54,000 square feet and has a 6,000-square-foot mezzanine. Cleveland Vibrator plans to occupy 37,000 square feet of the building and lease out the remaining space.
Macklin said the company will invest in the new building and should need to add employees once the move is complete. Plans are to improve truck dock space, rework electric power distribution and install overhead cranes, paint booths and an exhaust system for welding fumes.
Cleveland Vibrator will also add new machining equipment and renovate the office and production areas.
The machinery manufacturer has received approval for grant funding from the state through the JobsOhio program and the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority. Cleveland has also helped the project through the city's Vacant Property Initiative.
Cleveland Vibrator has partnered with Cleveland-based Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network on the project.
"This is more than a move for us," Macklin said. "This is a transformation of our facility and a major event in a new phase of the company's growth and history. And it would not be possible were it not for our tremendous team of employees and external partners."
Cleveland Vibrator and its HK Technologies operation in Salem, Ohio, have more than 15,000 customers around the world.