Kirco Breaks Ground on Oerlikon Manufacturing Facility

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Troy-based, full-service commercial real estate firm Kirco recently broke ground on a new manufacturing and research and development facility in Plymouth Township for Oerlikon, a leading global technology group providing surface solutions, advanced materials, and material processes for value-bringing technologies.

The 80,000-square-foot facility is located in Plymouth Township and will house approximately 70 employees following a $50 million community investment. Oerlikon has signed a long-term lease with Kirco and Kirco Manix, the development and construction partner on the project.

“Part of the reason we selected Kirco Manix for this project was due to the fact each member of the management team is well qualified to cover their area of responsibility and each exhibited a high-level of confidence for managing cost, schedule, quality, and safety on large, technically complicated projects,” says Richard Plautz, senior project manager for Oerlikon. “In addition, the team consisted of members who have been with the company for a long time, who not only care about each other, but also their customers.”

Plautz adds that the new facility will strengthen Oerlikon’s position in the additive manufacturing, 3D printing, and high-end surface coating markets. They will be producing advanced titanium alloys, and high-end thermal spray powders which will then be packaged and shipped to automotive, aerospace, agricultural, and medical customers around the world.  The high-tech lab area will allow for the research and development of titanium and other alloys such as nickel, copper, iron, and cobalt.

The facility is expected to be ready for occupancy by spring 2018.