PIQUA, Ohio — Hartzell Air Movement has broken ground on a construction project that will allow the production of fans with centrifugal wheel widths of up to 89 inches in all materials of construction. Called the High Bay Project, it will add 30,000 square feet of manufacturing space to Hartzell’s Piqua operations and will feature a 23-foot under hook crane height and a new 30- by 30-foot sand blast room. In addition, the new manufacturing space will provide four additional 10-ton cranes for the movement of very large fans.

Michael Bardo, Hartzell’s chief financial officer, said, “This project is partially funded by tax credits through the state of Ohio. With the addition of the larger manufacturing space, Hartzell expects to add 50 jobs to its Air Movement Division over the next five years.” CEO Jeff Bannister added, “This project will allow Hartzell to help meet the growing demand for large industrial fans, particularly for semiconductor manufacturers, mining, heavy industry, wastewater, etc.”

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by State Sen. Bill Beagle; State Rep. Richard Adams; Frank DeBrosse, field representative for Congressman John Boehner; Piqua Mayor Lucy Fess and other city officials; representatives from the Dayton Development Coalition; and Hartzell board members and executives.

Hartzell Air Movement is a leading manufacturer of industrial fans and blowers with offices in Piqua, Ohio, and Singapore and manufacturing plants in Piqua; Portland, Ind.; and Singapore. The company specializes in providing custom centrifugal and axial fans and engineered solutions.

For more information, visit www.hartzell.com

Publication date: 04/16/2012