Unverferth to expand Delphos facility

Van Wert independent/submitted information

KALIDA — Unverferth Manufacturing, based in Kalida, with plants located in Delphos and Shell Rock, Iowa, is experiencing yet another expansion to the company, only this time it’s at the Delphos plant in Van Wert County.

Unverferth, which has been serving American farm operations since 1948 with tillage equipment, pull-type sprayers, hay, seed and grain handling equipment, and agricultural dual and specialty wheels, is expanding its Delphos facility by 70,000 square feet to streamline production and meet customer demand.

The company decided on the expansion in Delphos after an agreement was finalized with AEP Ohio to relocate a section of their sub-transmission line that crosses through the site where the expansion is planned. The expansion will be on the west side of the existing building and will add new machinery and equipment, as well as create 15-20 new jobs in the county.

“Expansions such as this are made possible by the continued commitment of our employees in producing high-quality, in-demand products and with the cooperation of AEP and Van Wert County in encouraging our growth”, stated Larry Unverferth, director of manufacturing operations.

AEP Ohio is providing Unverferth Manufacturing with an Economic Development RSP Grant totaling $100,000 to assist in the relocation of the power lines.

The RSP Grant program provides financial assistance to new and existing industries for projects that create and retain jobs and generate new investment within the AEP Ohio service territory.

“AEP Ohio is pleased to partner with Van Wert County in assisting Unverferth Manufacturing with their Delphos plant expansion” stated Tim Wells, AEP manager of economic & business development for Ohio.

Other business incentives that made the expansion attractive for the Delphos plant was a Van Wert County Enterprise Zone tax exemption for real property tax and a JobsOhio grant coordinated by Regional Growth Partnership (RGP).

Van Wert County Economic Development Director Cindy Leis said she is pleased to see business retention and expansion in the county and expects additional economic improvements throughout the county in 2014.