Silicone compounder plans move to new plant

AKRON (May 8)—Independent silicone compounder Specialty Products & Polymers Inc. will move into a new plant in Niles, Mich., by mid-June, increasing capacity with the addition of new equipment in the process. Specialty spent about $1 million for the building and equipment, said owner and President Rick Rey, who spoke about the project at the International Silicone Conference in Akron. The Niles facility is about 30 miles from the firm´s present plant in Hartford, Mich. The 30,000-sq.-ft. plant in Niles is 10 years old and located on nine acres of land, providing plenty of room for expansion if needed, he said. Rey expects about all of the 13 employees to make the move, and Specialty Products should add another six to 10 jobs once the firm is settled. The city of Niles was aggressive in offering incentives to Specialty, giving such items as low-cost loans and tax benefits, he said.