The expansion will include a new corporate office area, R&D, production area for the Air Sentry division and more warehouse space. In addition, Whitmore recently acquired UK-based QHi Rail Ltd. and will be manufacturing rail lubrication equipment in Rockwall for the North American market under the name Whitmore Rail. “We are very pleased to be investing in this expansion. Our Rockwall headquarters will be doubling in size to more than 200,000 SF and we will be making improvements to our existing production and laboratory facilities as well,” said Jeff Kilpatrick, President and CEO of The Whitmore Manufacturing Company.
Whitmore’s Rockwall employees were present for the event including the management team. Speakers included Dick DeWitt, President and COO of Marketplace Ministries; Sheri Franza, President and CEO of the REDC; David Sweet, Mayor of Rockwall; and Gary Martin, Chairman of The Whitmore Manufacturing Company. Attendees included members of the REDC Board of Directors, Rockwall City Council members and design and construction team members from Jacobs & Associates, Architects; Cymcor, Project Management and General Contractor, Hill & Wilkinson.
Kilpatrick welcomed the crowd to the ceremony and expressed his excitement about the expansion and noted that Whitmore and the REDC share a common goal of growth. “This expansion is fueled by our sales growth in years and the strong relationship we have with our friends at the REDC. To keep pace with this growth we are investing in new technologies and more room to better serve our customers and our community,“ Kilpatrick said. Whitmore anticipates adding 20 to 40 employees over the next 3 to 5 years.
Sheri Franza, President and CEO of the REDC, extended her congratulations to Whitmore on behalf of the REDC. “This is a great day for Whitmore and Rockwall. I want to thank everyone who helped make this expansion happen. Whitmore demonstrated vision and initiative in working with the REDC to make this economic development opportunity a reality,” said Franza. Whitmore has been proud to call Rockwall home since 1982.
When completed, the expansion will enable Whitmore to provide increased production, more R&D and far greater manufacturing and distribution capabilities. Hill and Wilkinson, general contractors, began construction of the facility expansion after the ceremony. The building project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2013.
About The Whitmore Manufacturing Company
The Whitmore Manufacturing Company, consisting of Whitmores, KATS Coatings®, Horizon Lubricants and Air Sentry®, is a leader in creating component protection technology through the manufacturing of specialized lubricants, coatings, sealants, and contamination control solutions with broad product application for a variety of industries on a global basis.
