Success Stories

Wyoming County Manufacturers Are on a Roll!

August 2008

Wyoming County’s low cost operating environment, its dedicated workforce, the newly established Empire Zone Program and a local economy that remains very stable were all reasons that factored into a decision by numerous local companies to expand and grow recently.  Collectively they invested millions of dollars of capital and created many new jobs in Wyoming County. Here is just a brief summary of some of the expansion projects that the Wyoming County Business Center had the good fortune to assist with.

• Koike Aronson of Arcade, NY (a Japanese owned company) manufactures Oxy-fuel, Plasma and Laser cutting machines and welding positioners.  In May of this year, the company recently celebrated the completion of two consecutive years of expansion and job creation projects that allowed the company to bring a line of Laser cutting machines formerly manufactured in Japan to Wyoming County.   The expansions greatly improved efficiencies and turn-around times on orders.  The projects included the expansion of approximately 30,000 sq. ft. of new building space and the purchase of new machining equipment totaling over $6 million of capital investment and the creation of 40 new jobs.  Employment levels at the plant are expected to rise to more than 150 people.  With assistance from the Wyoming County Business Center, the company received incentives from the Wyoming County Industrial Development Agency and became Empire Zone certified.

• Blue Seal Feeds, Inc. of Arcade, NY manufactures a wide variety of animal feeds.  For a number of years Wyoming County Economic Development officials and the Plant Manager of Blue Seal Feeds discussed their need and interest in building a new warehouse.  The question was to build it in Arcade or one of their other manufacturing facilities in the Northeast.  The decision was made to expand the Arcade facility because of the strong workforce and low cost power.  Blue Seal Feeds recently completed construction of its new warehouse and distribution facility this past summer adding a total of 60,000 sq. ft. of space.  The Wyoming County Industrial Development Agency provided incentives for the project.  Total project investment was $2.8 million in the building and equipment and will create 25 new jobs over a three-year period bringing employment levels to 115.    

• Hilec, LLC of Arcade, NY manufactures electrical sleeving.  Hilec was sold in this past year to a company from Wisconsin. The Wyoming County Business Center and the Wyoming County Industrial Development Agency went to work to retain this company in the county after learning the new owners had excess production capacity in a plant in Wisconsin and Connecticut. By utilizing the Office for Small Cities a NY grant/loan was secured that assured Hilec would remain in Arcade and retain 35 good paying manufacturing jobs.  
• American Classic Outfitters of Perry, NY is a contract manufacturer of professional and collegiate custom sports uniforms.  The company recently secured a long-term contract with Adidas to become its exclusive provider of customized sports apparel. As a result of winning the contract with Adidas, American Classic Outfitters invested over $1 million in facility improvements and equipment and will be creating 185 new jobs over the next five years bringing their total workforce to over 300. The Wyoming County Business Center brought in the Wyoming County Industrial Development Agency and Empire State Development into the project to provide the necessary incentives to assist the company.
• Drasgow, Inc. located in the town of Wethersfield, NY is a machining company that produces parts for the automotive and cable TV industries. It was a little over a year ago when the owner approached the Wyoming County Business Center with his need to expand his business. At the time the business was operating out of owner’s garage in Sheldon, NY. The decision was made to build a new 6,750 sq. ft. building in the town of Wethersfield. The Wyoming Business Center brought in the Wyoming County Industrial Development Agency to assist with financing and tax incentives and Wyoming County Community Action to assist with training for new hires and upgrades. Since the expansion the business has grown from 7 to 12 employees.
• Empire Distributing is a family owned company that distributes fireplaces inserts, wood and pellet stoves and accessories. They outgrew their location in a neighboring county and decided that the Town of Arcade in Wyoming County presented them with chance to have lower property taxes and utility rates and a chance at becoming a certified business in the Empire Zone program. The company recently moved into a newly constructed 75,000 sq. ft. building that will allow them to add another line of products and expand their market. The Wyoming County Business Center and the Wyoming County Industrial Development Agency partnered to assist with this project that helped the company retain 13 jobs and will create 7-10 new jobs over the next three years. 
• Athletic, Inc. is an on-line mail order business of women’s sports apparel that is headquartered in a neighboring county. Because of growth needs, the company needed to establish a warehouse and finishing operation that required approximately 25,000 sq. ft. With space available in the Perry Commerce Center and in close proximity to the main office the company began operations in Spring of this year, with 20 jobs to be created over the next three years. The Chamber partnered with the Wyoming County IDA who provided an incentive for this project.

As you can clearly see, We’re On a Roll in Wyoming County!  And we’re not slowing down.  There are currently 14 more projects in the pipeline - yours could be too.  Don’t miss the opportunity to get your business rolling in Wyoming County.  Please give Jim Pierce a call or email him at jpierce@wycobusiness.org to discuss your business venture.