PRAB EXPANDS MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS IN KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN
Kalamazoo, Mich., AUGUST 22, 2016 – PRAB Inc., a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of equipment and systems for processing metal scrap and spent fluids and treating oily wastewater for recycle and reuse, grows its manufacturing campus in Kalamazoo, MI. PRAB, Inc. a KMC Global Company, purchased existing manufacturing space and warehouse buildings across the street from the company’s current location. The additional space adds manufacturing capacity to 159,000 sq ft. The purchase of the new building also allows the sales and engineering teams from all company divisions to operate under a single roof. PRAB Fluid Filtration and Wastewater Treatment divisions will combine in building 2 with the team from Chip Systems, and Conveyors for Die Cast and Stamping. The original plant location, known as Building 1, will house some final assembly, and shipping along with KMC Global corporate functions. The third campus building is currently being renovated to house the expansion of the company’s controls division. Randy McBroom, PRAB Vice President- Manufacturing states, “Expanding our manufacturing and office space capacity solidifies our commitment to U.S. jobs in the state of Michigan and helps us improve work flow and bring some outsourced functions in house. This expansion allows us to meet the needs of our customers today and provides room for growth”.
PRAB has seen an increased demand for its custom scrap metal and fluid filtration equipment due to the changing operating dynamics in major metalworking industries such as; aerospace, automotive, defense, construction equipment, and off-road vehicle. For many years metalworking companies had long-runs of the same part and the same material. Change overs were measured in years and changes in material types where measured in multiple years. This model has shifted and the metalworking industry is adjusting to the changes by supporting smaller parts runs, more frequent changes in design and material type, formula changes in steel and aluminum, and the addition of hard-to-machine alloys such as Titanium. These changes are coupled with the industry’s desire to improve productivity in all aspects of operations; machining processes, scrap metal and fluid recycling and wastewater treatment and reuse. Ned Thompson, PRAB President and CEO notes, “Our company has always served the unique needs of the industry; we partner with metalworking companies to engineer equipment that will solve their most difficult material handling challenges. The expansion of our manufacturing operations allows us to continue to provide best-in-class equipment and customer service”. The PRAB manufacturing campus is located near I-94, a major U.S. east/west interstate providing a cost effective shipping route throughout North America. Hapman, a sister company within the KMC Global family, is also co-located on the campus.
PRAB began manufacturing drag conveyors more than 65 years ago during the post WWII manufacturing renaissance in the United States. Over the decades, PRAB has expanded its product line to include a wide-range of conveyors and scrap metal processing equipment to automate and improve metal and fluid storage and recycling. In addition to equipment, PRAB has a global customer service team for project managed start-up assistance and preventative maintenance support.
PRAB contracts with technical sales representatives throughout North America to provide local technical support and service. The Company’s European Headquarters is located in Opole, Poland where equipment and systems are designed and manufactured for Europe and surrounding regions. A partnership in India allows PRAB to serve the metalworking industry in country. The global presence of PRAB ensures metalworking companies and OEM’s of PRAB’s ability to support systems worldwide.
