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Plumbing News
Uponor invests $17.4 million to
expand PEX pipe manufacturing.
Company expands in Apple Valley,
Minn.; centralizes and upgrades Canadian operations.
Uponor North America (Uponor) is expanding its manufacturing
facility in Apple Valley, Minn. beginning late spring 2017, with
completion expected by January 2018. The $17.4 million investment
will be used toward the expansion of an additional 58,000 square
feet to increase our manufacturing capacity to meet customer demand.
This is the tenth expansion since Uponor began operations in Apple
Valley in 1990. The most recent expansion took place in 2016 when
the company invested $18 million and 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 beginning mid-May 2017.
The company’s North American investments and growth are not limited
to the U.S. Uponor announced last year they were consolidating the
Canadian head office with its eastern distribution center, which
moved to Mississauga, 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 in Mississauga, which will add significant value to its
Canadian customers. This alignment resulted in closing its Regina,
Sask. office. Story continues below
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New features in Mississauga
include 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) beginning June 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,” says Bill 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
supports our strategic direction and sets us up for more
opportunities.”
Uponor’s North American headquarters are located in Apple
Valley, Minn., and the company has a distribution center and
resin-receiving facility located in nearby Lakeville, Minn.
By year-end, the total Twin Cities metro 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 in the
Twin Cities and anticipate adding a significant number of
jobs as a result of the manufacturing expansion — all of
which contributes toward the economic development in the
metro area.
“Apple Valley's latest 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 in North America, our
customers and business partners.”
Uponor’s decision to expand again in Apple Valley was partly
due to the successful cooperation of both the State of
Minnesota and the City of Apple Valley and 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, the City of Apple Valley has
demonstrated its support and the State of Minnesota has 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 form Phyn, 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.
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