Uponor invests $6.35M to expand PEX pipe manufacturing

Jul. 30, 2017 – Uponor North America has purchased an 237,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and office space in Hutchinson, Minn., growing its North American operations to meet long-term demand.

The $6.35-million investment is located about 70 miles west from its North American headquarters in Apple Valley, Minn. The company, which manufactures crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) pipe and related products, expects the closing to occur by late August and become operational by early 2019.

“Uponor is seeing unprecedented product demand as a result of continued growth in commercial and residential construction,” said Bill Gray, president of Uponor North America. “This investment will allow Uponor to increase production capacity as we build a future on innovation, education and advocacy to better serve our customers while also growing the state’s manufacturing workforce.”

Previously owned by Hutchinson Technology, Inc. (HTI)/TDK, the building will be renovated to manufacture Uponor PEX pipe that is used in the company’s plumbing, fire sprinkler, radiant-heating and cooling systems.

The purchase of the new facility comes on the heels of Uponor’s announcement in May to expand its Apple Valley manufacturing facility with a $17.4-million investment. That expansion is expected to be completed by next January.

“We are excited and committed to support our growth opportunities in North America,” added Uponor Corp. president and CEO Jyri Luomakoski. “This investment will provide Uponor with expanded manufacturing space to develop innovative, next-generation solutions on a larger scale to position us in meeting the future demands of the industry and provide greater service to our customers.”