Nebraska Industrial Overview - Summer 2010
Nebraska Industrial Overview - Summer 2010
Building & Labor Available in Beatrice
On May 27, 2010, Husqvarna Turf Care announced they will close the Beatrice facility and consolidate operations at its Orangeburg, South Carolina facility. Husqvarna employed 390 full-time and part-time seasonal employees in Beatrice. The 274,000-square-foot concrete tilt-up facility was completed in 2005 near the Beatrice Airport, just off U.S. Highway 77, a four-lane expressway. The company made zero-turn radius mowers and specialty turf equipment.
For more information on Beatrice, visit sites.nppd.com.
Milk Specialties Global Cuts Ribbon in Norfolk
Milk Specialties Global was officially welcomed to Norfolk during a ribbon cutting at their plant on May 20. The Norfolk plant, which has been producing protein ingredients for the Global Food Solutions Division since late 2009, operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and employs approximately 50 people.
"The available equipment, work force, and proximity to suppliers made the Norfolk plant attractive," said David Lentzmeier, president of Milk Specialties' Food Solutions. "A lot of the proteins we will produce at the Norfolk plant are for the U.S. nutrition market like GNC stores and nutritional bars and infant nutrition," he said.
"You know when a company is already talking about the excitement of their business and the opportunity they have and that they're going to continue to grow, you've got a good company," said Governor Dave Heineman.
"The City owes a debt of gratitude to the State of Nebraska and the Department of Economic Development for the $505,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds to be used for Norfolk's newest business, Milk Specialties Global," said Norfolk Mayor Sue Fuchtman. "Norfolk is a progressive community of 24,000 plus, serving a market area of more than 100,000. We are a community working very hard to provide jobs for our skilled and willing work force. Milk Specialties Global is warmly welcomed into our community and I look forward to the energy and vision they will bring with them to Norfolk and our surrounding area," she said.
Aurora Cooperative Plans $11 Million Expansion
The Aurora Cooperative is currently expanding grain storage, drying, and handling capabilities at its three railroad terminals located at Aurora, Sedan, and Grand Island at an estimated $11 million. Aurora Cooperative is working with the Union Pacific and BNSF Railway Company to upgrade its terminals to increase velocity of grain movement in receiving, staging, and loading unit/shuttle trains at each facility. When completed, each grain terminal will have full capacity of handling multiple species of grain. The Aurora and Sedan facilities are planning to utilize the expanded capabilities for the fall 2010 harvest. Bin construction may be viewed at www.auroracoop.com.
"The Aurora Cooperative's grain customers are class leading in their ability to produce crops at an ever increasing yield level," said George Hohwieler, president and CEO of the Aurora Cooperative. The company employs approximately 500 full-time employees throughout the entire trade area.
The Aurora facility is served electrically by Southern Power District and the Sedan facility is served by South Central Public Power District. Both power districts purchase wholesale power from Nebraska Public Power District.
Kearney Selected as Location by Techniques Surfaces USA
Techniques Surfaces USA (TS USA) of Springfield, Ohio, has selected Kearney as the newest location for providing the patented HEF ARCOR® surface treatment process. TS USA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the HEF Group, currently handles engine valve treatment in their Springfield, Ohio facility for Eaton Corporation's Automotive Division in Kearney. The proprietary liquid nitriding process, provided by TS USA, will bring to Kearney a new industry of surface treatment relevant to the use of E85 Ethanol Flex Fuel for modern engines and to solve a broad range of other customer wear, friction, and corrosion problems.
The HEF ARCOR® process allows engine valves to withstand the chemically different make-up of E85 Ethanol Flex Fuel. The current process requires commercial packaging and shipment from Kearney to Springfield, Ohio, where the values are unpacked, treated, and repacked with return to Kearney for final finishing. The Kearney location will shorten the supply chain process by providing the service locally. "Although we have very few outsourced services in our Kearney facility," said Kevin Matson, plant manager of Eaton's Automotive Division in Kearney, "the specialty nature of this patented process makes sense to have this handled by a trustworthy company such as Techniques Surfaces USA. We have a great working relationship in place today with TS and bringing their process to Kearney is a testament of their commitment to our company and their concern for our mission of improving Eaton's operational efficiencies," he said.
The company will have an initial investment of more than $2 million for land, building, and tooling of the 10,500-square-foot facility. The initial operation will treat valves from Eaton's with opportunity to expand the trade area to include product treatment from across the United States. The plant will initially create eight jobs with expected growth as they bring on new clients. "This is just the beginning of our presence in Kearney, and we make this investment in recognition of addressing Eaton's needs as well as the flexibility to expand our liquid nitriding business to other customers in the region," said Alain Charlois, president HEF USA and TS USA.
"As companies look for a way to gain efficiencies, optimizing the supply chain is an important step in that process. We have a tremendous opportunity to attract industries that complement the large businesses of Buffalo County," said Darren Robinson, executive director of the Economic Development Council of Buffalo County.
The facility, served electrically by Nebraska Public Power District, is expected to be operational in November 2010.
Beatrice Accuma Plant Hires Additional Workers
Accuma, a privately owned plastic injection molding company headquartered in Ghisalba, Italy, has plants in Italy, the UK, Germany, China, and the United States. The U.S. headquarters is located in Statesville, North Carolina, with a plant in Beatrice, Nebraska. Accuma specializes in manufacturing plastic components (cases, lids, and accessories) used in lead-acid batteries. Automotive battery components are only a small percentage of all the products manufactured. Other applications include components for standby power; golf carts; and military, industrial, and recreational batteries. Given its geographic presence in various parts of the world, Accuma is the only, truly international plastic injection molding company in the field of the lead-acid batteries.
The economic crisis that impacted all sectors of the U.S. manufacturing industry also impacted the Beatrice plant. However, the Beatrice plant hired six new positions in 2009 and plans to hire an additional six people in 2010. The plant currently employs 46 people.
The Beatrice facility, served electrically by the Beatrice Board of Public Works, began operations in 1995 and expanded in 2003 with a 52,000-square-foot addition doubling the manufacturing floor space. It is Accuma's philosophy to stay competitive; the company must invest in new technologies, new equipment, support infrastructure, and personnel.
York Firm Reinvests in Facility and Hires 12-15 New Employees
In 2008 York Cold Storage Company was purchased by Denver-based Great West Teeuwissen, LLC. Since the change in ownership, the long-term York business has expanded their operations and reinvested in their facility. According to Managing Director Doug Haycock, approximately $250,000 has been spent on plant improvements, which include doubling the pet food production capacity and new ice production equipment as well as other upgrades. New lighting is also being installed in parts of the plant which will qualify for Nebraska Public Power District's EnergyWise incentives.
A new process for production of all natural sausage casings will soon move into a building adjacent to the plant.
Plant Manager Matt Spanjers shared that business growth has also led to increased employment. Approximately 12 new jobs have been added in the last 18 months with another 3-5 positions planned by the end of 2010.
York Cold Storage is served electrically by Nebraska Public Power District.
Community Feature: Cozad, Nebraska
Opportunities await you at Cozad, a Nebraska Certified Economic Development Community with a population of approximately 4,200. Located in south-central Nebraska along the Interstate 80 corridor, the Cozad Development Corporation has two available industrial sites (66.62 acres and 129 acres) located between Interstate 80 and U.S. Highway 30. The two parcels may be purchased as a 195.62 acre site. A spur of the Union Pacific Railroad is available on the smaller site. All utilities serve both sites.
The city retails electricity to the community with power purchased from Nebraska Public Power District and natural gas is supplied by SourceGas Distribution. The city's water system has a maximum daily capacity of 8.0 million gallons and the municipal sewerage system has a daily capacity of 0.83 million gallons. Cozad Telephone Company provides telecommunication services to the city and rural service areas.
The Cozad Municipal Airport has a 5,000-foot lighted concrete runway and a 3,000-foot sod runway. Commercial air service is available at the North Platte Regional Airport and the Kearney Regional Airport, both within less than an hour's drive.
Central Community College works with area industries, retail establishments, and other agencies in delivering various training programs to the community. The University of Nebraska at Kearney is located within 45 minutes of Cozad.
Medical needs are provided by Cozad Community Hospital, a 21-bed critical access hospital; Cozad Medical Clinic; and Golden LivingCenter, an 87-bed skilled nursing facility with a 20-unit assisted living facility.
Cozad's quality of life encompasses parks, museums, shopping opportunities, up-to-date libraries, schools, an abundance of recreational opportunities, and a culture that remains focused on creating a better future for following generations.
Cozad Community Facts, a 42-page detailed facts book, contains detailed information on Cozad. Please contact Robyn Geiser, executive director, Cozad Development Corporation, (308) 784-3930, geiser.cdc@cozadtel.net for your free copy. The book is also online at sites.nppd.com.
