The Right Place assists global manufacturer with Kentwood expansion

Today The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the City of Kentwood, announced that global manufacturer, Andronaco Industries, will be relocating one of its subsidiaries (dba Conley Composites) and expanding to a fifth Kent County location at 4544 Broadmoor Ave. in Kentwood. This expansion will result in the creation of 64 new jobs and a capital investment of $3.3 million.

Andronaco Inc., founded in 1994, is a world-leading manufacturer of high performance fluoropolymer and composite products and technologies. The company, which also has locations in Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, and France, currently operates four subsidiary facilities in the City of Kentwood (dba PureFlex, Inc., PolyValve, LLC, Nil-Cor, LLC and Ethylene, LLC) that employ 195 people.

Conley Composites, LLC which specializes in fiberglass pipe, fittings and valve manufacturing, previously operated out of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Andronaco officials made the decision, with the assistance of The Right Place and the MEDC, to relocate this facility closer to its three existing Kentwood operations.

For the expansion, Andronaco plans to purchase and rehabilitate an existing, 30,000 square foot building. The new location on Broadmoor Ave. will be located within minutes of the other Andronaco manufacturing facilities and Corporate Headquarters.

“The decision to relocate Conley Composites to the same area as our other manufacturing subsidiaries made logistical sense for our company,” said Ron Andronaco, President and CEO of Andronaco Industries, “We are thankful for the guidance and support of The Right Place and the MEDC as we worked through the details of this relocation and expansion process.”

The MEDC is supporting the expansion effort with the approval of a $320,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. The City of Kentwood is also considering approval of a P.A. 198 tax abatement in support of the project.

“Andronaco’s decision to establish a fourth facility in West Michigan is a testament to the strong business environment our region has developed,” said Jen Wangler, Senior Business Development Manager and project lead, “Companies have confidence in our talent and our continued economic growth.”

“The City of Kentwood is pleased to partner with Andronaco Industries and the State of Michigan to bring this project to fruition,” said Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley. “We are proud to see a world-leading manufacturer like Andronaco Industries continue to thrive and bring new jobs to Kentwood.”