The new facility will add an additional 58,000 square feet of production and packaging space to support Uponor's PEX piping business.
APPLE VALLEY, MN,MAY 5, 2017 -- Uponor North America (Uponor) is expanding its manufacturing facility inApple Valley, Minn., beginning late spring 2017, with completion expected byJanuary 2018. The$17.4 millioninvestment will be used toward the expansion of an additional 58,000 square feet to increase manufacturing capacityto meet customer demand. This is the tenth expansion since Uponor began operations inApple Valleyin 1990. The most recent expansion took place in 2016 when the company invested$18 millionand added 88,000 square feet to its manufacturing facility.
Uponor has also leased an 8,500-square-foot office and lab space in a building next to its manufacturing annex, which the company's technology group will occupy beginningmid-May 2017.
The company's North American investments and growth are not limited tothe United States. Uponor announced last year it was consolidating the Canadian head office with its eastern distribution center, which moved toMississauga, Ont., last June; the Canadian headquarters moved into the same building last month. To further unify the Canadian team and take advantage of centralized efficiencies, they are expanding its estimation and commercial piping design services, also located inMississauga, which will add significant value to its Canadian customers. This alignment resulted in closing itsRegina, Sask., office.
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New features inMississaugainclude a training facility that will hold up to 50 attendees as well as a hands-on application lab. To complement the new venue and its traditional plumbing and radiant heating/cooling training classes, the new Canadian facility will begin offering engineering continuing education units (CEUs) beginningJune 2.
"These are exciting times at Uponor and the building industry as we continue to experience significant growth in both commercial and residential construction; and it's an exciting time for our partners," saysBill Gray, Uponor North America president. "Central to our culture and values is our commitment to our customers; we are continually striving to exceed their expectations.Investments in capacity and our focus on enhancing the customer experience support our strategic direction and set us up for more opportunities."
Uponor's North American headquarters are located inApple Valley, Minn., and the company has a distribution center and resin-receiving facility located in nearbyLakeville, Minn.By year-end, the totalTwin Citiesmetro area footprint will amount to 738,000 square feet, which is nearly 17 acres of facilities under roof.
The building expansion is required to meet forecasted growth for its crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) tubing in plumbing, fire sprinkler, radiant heating and cooling and hydronic piping systems used in residential and commercial buildings. According to Gray, Uponor North America's investments represent more than just a larger manufacturing footprint. The company created more than 100 new jobs last year inthe Twin Citiesand anticipates adding a significant number of jobs as a result of the manufacturing expansion -- all of which contributes toward economic development in the metro area.
"Apple Valley'slatest expansion with its automated packaging technology will become operational as Uponor celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2018," says Jyri Luomakoski, president and CEO, Uponor. "In an established organization like Uponor, we always remind ourselves that we constantly need to introduce new solutions, new ways of working and new ways to view the world to better serve our loyal customers. Our North American region has consistently performed well in this area — and the outlook remains solid — thanks to our dedicated staff inNorth America, our customers and business partners."
Uponor's decision to expand again inApple Valleywas partly due to the successful cooperation of both theState of Minnesotaand theCity of Apple Valleyand their willingness to provide an attractive business climate for Uponor's continued growth.
"When making this investment decision, we spent a significant amount of time evaluating our options," says Gray. "Throughout the process, theCity of Apple Valleyhas demonstrated its support and theState of Minnesotahas also shown its appreciation for Uponor. We truly appreciate their support and, as always, do our best to honor and exceed our commitments."
About Uponor
Uponor Inc.is an award-winning provider of plumbing, fire safety, radiant heating/cooling, hydronic piping and pre-insulated piping systems for residential and commercial applications. In 2016, Uponor partnered with Belkin International to formPhyn, a new intelligent water company to revolutionize the way consumers interact with water and help solve major challenges facing the global water supply. Recognized for best-in-class manufacturing, sustainability, energy efficiency, safety, business growth, economic development, workplace giving and a top workplace, Uponor employs more than 3,900 worldwide. www.uponorpro.com
