ROCKFORD, IL, March 24, 2005 -- Aqua-Aerobic Systems Inc. broke ground yesterday for a $4 million expansion and renovation of its Loves Park facility to accommodate its growing business. The wastewater equipment manufacturer will add 25,000 square feet for engineering, seminar facilities, meeting areas, employee lunchroom and executive offices. The renovation will convert 4,800 square feet of existing office space to manufacturing as well as remodel other office areas. The construction is expected to be complete by spring 2006 by local contractors.
"Aqua-Aerobic intends to remain in this community and continue to grow," said Robert J. Wimmer, president and CEO. "The main reason for the expansion is that we need the space for our new business. We're enjoying strong demand because of our innovative application of technology that provides improved wastewater solutions for our customers. That, in turn, creates more requests for our technical seminars which are attended by wastewater professionals from around the world."
Chicagoland area growth aids effort
Wimmer attributed the growth of the Chicago suburbs as a factor in Aqua-Aerobic's increase in local business. Three examples of new business are: A new wastewater treatment plant in Capron, Ill., a filtration treatment system for Fox Metro Water Reclamation District in Oswego, Ill., and a wastewater treatment expansion at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, South Korea, for which Aqua-Aerobic supplied the original wastewater treatment equipment.
"The Rockford/Loves Park area has been wonderful for us. We're able to find skilled employees with a good work ethic. Just as important, there is a vast network of skilled, entrepreneurial suppliers in this area. That's why we're pleased to make our meeting facilities available to community groups when they are not being used for Aqua," Wimmer said.
Invited guests celebrate expansion
Loves Park Mayor Darryl Lindberg said, "Aqua has been a great business partner of Loves Park since the beginning and we're really excited that they chose to stay in Loves Park and to grow their business here. They really are a pleasure to work with."
Aqua-Aerobic Board Chair John D. Brubaker, State Sen. Dave Syverson, State Rep. Dave Winters, Winnebago County Chairman Scott Christiansen and Rockford Mayor Doug Scott joined Wimmer and Mayor Lindberg in making remarks and participating in the ceremonial groundbreaking. Also attending the event were employees and retirees of Aqua-Aerobic, representatives of the Illinois EPA, representatives from the Rockford Area Economic Development Council, vendors, McClellan Blakemore Architects and
Cord Construction, the general contractor.
Expansion to allow more technical seminars
The new seminar and meeting facility will allow the company to present more seminars. Currently about 300 wastewater treatment professionals from around the world attend the Aqua-Aerobic seminars annually, from April through October. The expansion will allow the company to accommodate a 15% growth in seminar attendees. "These seminars are an important marketing tool for us so this is an investment we make eagerly. A side benefit is that more seminar attendees are good for the local hospitality industry," added Wimmer.
Founded in1969 as an aerator company at its current location, Aqua-Aerobic Inc. (www.aqua-aerobic.com) specializes in wastewater treatment solutions. Its first expansion was a 35,000-square-foot addition in 1989. This marks the second expansion for the company. Today the company manufactures and markets water and wastewater treatment equipment and systems for the industrial and municipal markets with installations worldwide. Privately held, the company has 150 employees and annual sales of more than $50 million.
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