Savage-based FABCON Precast, manufacturer of precast, pre-stressed concrete wall panels, announces expansion into the Kansas City market effective immediately. The new operation will be housed in Pleasanton, Kansas, 70 miles south of Kansas City, in a plant previously occupied by IPC, Inc., a subsidiary of Cretex Companies, Inc., allowing them to better serve customers in the country’s heartland.
This will be the company’s first expansion in 14 years and the fourth plant in the U.S. Other plants are located in Savage, Minn., Columbus, Ohio and Allentown, Pa. FABCON’s projects are typically located within proximity of the plants and include a range of commercial projects such as office buildings, schools, large distribution centers, retail stores, manufacturing/warehouse facilities and data centers.
“We’re excited to bring jobs and opportunity for economic growth to an area we already serve,” says Mike LeJeune, FABCON Precast president and CEO. FABCON supplies the wall panels for national retailers Walmart, Target, Gander Mountain, Cabela’s, Menards and Home Depot in addition to regional businesses such as Nebraska Furniture Mart and many others. FABCON has manufactured millions of square feet of panels for developers OPUS, Duke Realty and Prologis, including several FedEx distribution centers.
“We are experiencing record growth so proximity to growing markets like the Kansas City area enable us to expand, bring opportunity and reinvest in our company and the community,” says LeJeune.
FABCON will hire approximately 35-40 people including engineers and drafters; plant managers and production supervisors; quality and safety assurance staff; skilled manufacturing laborers and construction field personnel as well as administrative support. To help new employees on their career path, current FABCON employees will mentor and train new hires.
“This plant will make up about 10 percent of our business and can serve as a backup to others to keep up with customer demand,” says Jim Houtman, FABCON vice president of sales and marketing. “We are installing two production beds to produce 1.5 million square feet of product annually and there’s room to double that as we grow.”
Houtman says customers appreciate the quality and continuity of the products they produce as well as the design and installation services, enabling customers to make a single call for service or questions. Current customer demand is the primary reason for the expansion.
“We are delighted to convey our Pleasanton facility to such a reputable firm that is widely recognized as a leader in the industry,” says Lynn Schuler, Cretex Companies president and CEO. “Our former employees will now have the opportunity to work within the industry and within their community, providing a great fit for all parties.”
In the coming weeks, FABCON will work to add equipment to fulfill its production requirements. The building infrastructure and surrounding yard space is in good condition and will be easily adapted as the building was constructed in 2008. The company plans to have the plant fully operational by July.
