"We're expanding our heavy fabricating, machining and assembly operations," reported Alex Benyo, vice president. "The building is in excellent shape."
Brilex recently purchased the former William B. Pollock Co. building, 101 Andrews Ave., Benyo said. That company was once a premier manufacturer for the steel industry and produced heavy equipment such as rail cars used to transfer molten metal, teeming and charging ladles, and slag pot-transfer cars.
Brilex, which has seen its footprint grow in the Mahoning Valley through acquisition and additions to its plant on Crescent Street in Youngstown, plans to invest some $6 million in the project, Benyo reported. The investment includes the purchase price, improvements to the plant and the purchase of new equipment. "Everything is still being mapped out," he said.
The company hopes to be operating in the new plant by the end of this year and ramp up to full production early next year.
Benyo said this latest expansion is completely funded through private sources and the city did not extend any tax incentives nor float loans. "They wouldn't apply to this project," he explained, noting the expansion doesn't require new construction, while the state ended taxes on new personal property two years ago.
Brilex, founded in 1996 by brothers Alex and Brian Benyo, reconditions and repairs heavy equipment used in a variety of industries. The company provides design-build, engineering and research and development services through its subsidiaries.
According to records of the Mahoning County auditor, the Pollock building, which has 135,000 square feet, was built in 1953, and a Brilex entity, McDonald Industrial Development LLC, purchased it in August from Charles G. Kennedy LLC. "The building was partially being used and leased for storage," Benyo said.
Benyo said the Brilex purchase will restore manufacturing business to the plant once again lead smaller manufacturers.
"It will give us additional capacity, better work flow and room for growth," Benyo said, especially growth associated with the power-generation industry and natural gas exploration. "It improves our work flow and gives us the opportunity to pursue different industries."
Brilex employs 130 at its plant on Crescent Street, Benyo reported, and expects to add between 20 and 50 new positions over the next five years to coincide with the expansion.
Over the last five years, Brilex has embarked on a path of acquisition that today includes six companies under the umbrella of the Brilex Group. Last year, the company purchased the assets of Taylor-Winfield Corp., Brookfield, and earlier that year bought Amrod Bridge & Iron in Sharon, Pa.
"The market is still staying pretty steady for us," Benyo reported.
Copyright 2011 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.