INX International Ink has doubled the size of its manufacturing facility in Edwardsville, located in the US state of Kansas.
The 75,000ft² building enhances the company’s ability to support continued growth for its energy curable inks and coatings products.
The original complex, which was opened in 1992, is situated on 8.6 acres of land near major interstate arteries in the suburbs of Kansas City.
It integrated resources from the Acme and Midland offset ink facilities.
Edwardsville took the responsibility of additional product offerings when the Kansas City plant was shut down in 2005, by absorbing the UV Flexo, UV Coatings and water-based blended lines.
INX International Ink CEO John Hrdlick said: “The Edwardsville expansion was necessary for many of the same reasons why we made a capital investment to expand our Charlotte facility last year. “Our UV sales growth trend had continued to place a strain on the facility.
“The lack of space did not allow us to stage international shipments as we worked on those orders. Product had to be stored in various locations inside the facility, which resulted in many extra material movements.
Hrdlick said the $5.2m cost of the expansion will be offset by the company’s ability to support continued sales growth of its energy curable products, including UV, EB, LED and HUV inks and coatings.
INX stated that production volume at the Edwardsville facility has increased dramatically over the years. In 2005, it was 3.5 million pounds and now it has grown more than 8.5 million pounds before completing the expansion.
Presently, the company has a workforce of 120 at the Edwardsville facility and based on growth, 10% or more could be added next year. The expansion is claimed to maintain regional distribution of its products, while providing back-up manufacturing to other of its facilities.
