Superior Extrusion announces $10.5 million expansion at K.I. Sawyer

The two-decade-old Upper Peninsula-based Superior Extrusion Inc has announced a $10.5 million expansion at K.I. Sawyer — a move that is expected to create about 30 jobs by 2020. According to the chairman of the board of directors of Superior Extrusion Inc, George LaBlonde III, the company needs to expand for future growth.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, management and employees, I am happy to express our pride in our team’s effort and all those that have overwhelming(ly) supported our efforts to expand our capacity and create additional employment opportunities,” LaBlonde said.

The expansion cost would include the purchase of a 2,000-ton, 7-inch aluminium extrusion press and associated equipment and it is expected to expand the size of the existing operation by 75,000 square feet, he added.

According to an SEI press release, a new steel-framed at 60,000 square feet metal building will house the new facility. Other facilities will include a scrap bay, offices and restrooms, dual purpose conference and training facility, and a provisional die shop.

Associated Constructors LLC was awarded a design-and-build-services contract in July. The release confirms that the infrastructure relocations and extensions will be complete this fall, depending on favourable weather conditions.

The release also confirms that the construction on the new facility will begin in April and expected to complete in late November 2018.

In September, the Michigan Economic Development announced that SEI had been awarded a $150,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance based grant. The Marquette County Board of Commissioners also approved the lease of a 7.41-acre parcel of land at its regular meeting Sept. 19.

SEI CEO Brad Couture reiterated the company’s commitment to providing employment opportunities for Marquette County residents.

“We continue to fully recognize that our success over the years has been primarily due to our employees’ commitment to excellence and their daily contribution to the values and culture of SEI,” Couture said. “Our employees are committed to providing quality extruded aluminum products and related services at competitive prices that meet or exceed customer requirements.”

It is noteworthy that since its initial incorporation in 1998, the company has undergone two previous expansions with an investment of $8 million and an increase to 130 jobs.