CK Technologies LLC (CKT), a unit of Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Cascade Engineering and leading supplier to the commercial truck and bus market, on January 10 announced that it will build a manufacturing facility for interior, exterior, and functional (under-the-hood) assemblies in Brownsville, Texas. The new facility involves a capital investment in excess of $20 million and is expected to create 121 jobs during 2011.
CKT has maintained an exclusive focus on developing innovative solutions and technological advances for the commercial truck and bus market since 2002. The Company specializes in converting large parts manufactured with traditional processes to large tonnage injection molding, which reduces weight and improves structural integrity, overall quality and environmental impact. CKT's expertise includes chromed and painted exterior surfaces, under-the-hood components, interior consoles, and instrument panels.
The new Brownsville facility will serve CKT customer operations located in Texas, Oklahoma and Mexico and house a large-tonnage injection molding capability, as well as chrome electroplating, painting, assembly and warehousing areas. The facility is slated to open with molding in the second quarter of 2011.
"The Brownsville area provides an ideal platform for CKT to meet and exceed our strategic growth objectives, which include expanding our manufacturing footprint and serving our many customers in the Southwest more efficiently," said Tony Kramer, commercial director for CKT. "We have been pleased to collaborate with the Texas Enterprise Fund, and a number of local economic development officials, each of whom has been instrumental in helping CKT reach our goal. We are also confident that Brownsville's skilled workforce will play a key role in enabling CKT to achieve rapid and sustained success as our new operations commence."
