A Milwaukee-based company is moving its Niagara Falls-based molded plastics factory. But the 81 jobs there aren't going very far.
Tulip Corporation broke ground Thursday on its future factory, to be located next door to its existing site on Highland Avenue. The current space, which was first built in 1904, has proven inefficient to the company, officials said.
The new factory, it was explained, will be used to streamline Tulip's thermoplastic injection molding operations. The company creates products used by battery, bottled water and dairy product makers.
"We'll be able to bring the entire Tulip team here," said company president and CEO Craigg Kellogg. "We'll be able to have a more modern and efficient facility which will enable us to grow and create more jobs in the community."
The local workforce is expected to grow by 10 people, officials said. The company is required to employ at least 70 people in order to take advantage of low-cost power allocation.
The project is estimated to cost around $11.7 million. Tulip is committing $10.35 million toward the project. New York State is spending $25 million to clean up the brownfield on which the future factory will be built. The New York Power Authority is kicking in $1 million in incentives.
Kellogg praised the collaboration that convinced his company to stay in Niagara Falls.
"We have a great workforce and they're skilled at what they do," he said. "They like what they do and they do it well. With a better facility and set of tools, they'll do an even better job."
The new 70,000 square foot building will be constructed by OSC/Brightfield Corporation. The Buffalo-based company will then lease the new factory space to Tulip.
