Federal Signal Announces Expansion of Guzzler, Vactor Facilities
ELGIN, Ill. (July 24, 2008) - Federal Signal's Environmental Solutions Group today announced an expansion of an existing 175,000 square foot facility in Streator, Ill., to address an increase in business levels for its Guzzler Manufacturing and Vactor Manufacturing subsidiaries. An additional 60,000 square feet will be added to the combined facility, which sits on 20 acres of land on the southeast corner of Streator. The expansion project includes relocation of the assembly, weld and paint departments for both the Guzzler and Vactor product lines, installation of new equipment and a larger parking lot.
The company is investing approximately $7 million in the expansion, which is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2008 and be completed by the middle of 2009. Over time, the expansion is also expected to result in the creation of approximately 30 to 40 new positions at the Streator facility, which is located about 80 miles southwest of Chicago.
"We carefully evaluated our options regarding operating space requirements and concluded that expanding our existing facility gives us the flexibility to add equipment and resources that will reduce delivery time, allow for continuous improvements to safety, production flow and efficiency, and support and sustain the future growth for the Guzzler and Vactor brands," said Mark Weber, president of the Environmental Solutions Group."
Guzzler Manufacturing is the largest manufacturer of industrial vacuum loaders used in cleaning up industrial waste and recovering and recycling valuable raw materials. Guzzler vacuum loaders have a proven record of superior performance in a variety of industries, including cement plants, steel mills, railroads, oil refineries, chemical plants, foundries and power-generating stations. Vactor Manufacturing produces a wide range of combination sewer cleaners and jetters for sewer line maintenance, as well as vacuum excavators and glycol recovery vehicles. Vactor sewer cleaners have been the preferred brand for most municipalities and public works departments since the product's inception in 1964. These two leading product lines share technology, manufacturing efficiencies and new product development.
"This expansion clearly enhances the ability of the Guzzler and Vactor brands to compete in the global marketplace," Weber said. "It also demonstrates our commitment to the local community to help improve the business climate, and further economic growth and job creation."
Vactor Manufacturing recently announced the renewal of the Streator facility's ISO 14001:2004 certification, which is an internationally-recognized environmental management certification earned by companies that minimize environmental impact caused by their activities, and achieve continual improvement of their environmental performance. To achieve ISO 14001:2004 certification, Vactor identified all company products and activities that might have an impact on the environment and established performance objectives to meet specific goals and launched an aggressive recycling initiative that included paper materials, wood pallets, wire, cans and bottles, all grades of scrap metal and solvent from painting operations.
Guzzler Manufacturing is the world's leader in industrial vacuum loaders for use in cleaning up industrial waste and recovering and recycling valuable raw materials. With the widest range of offloading options available, Guzzler products are designed to vacuum a full spectrum of materials - from solids and dry bulk powders, to liquids, slurries, and thick sludge - in such industrial areas as cement plants, steel mills, railroads, oil refineries, chemical plants, foundries and power-generating stations. For more information, visit www.guzzler.com or call 1/800-627-3171.
The industry leader in sewer and catch basin cleaners for more than 45 years, Vactor Manufacturing produces a wide range of combination sewer cleaners and jetters for sewer line maintenance, as well as specialty products including vacuum excavators and the Glycol Recovery Vehicle. For more information, visit www.vactor.com.
Federal Signal Corporation (NYSE: FSS) is a leader in advancing security and well-being for communities and workplaces around the world. The company designs and manufactures a suite of products and integrated solutions for municipal, governmental, industrial and airport customers. Federal Signal's portfolio of trusted, high-priority products include Bronto aerial devices, Elgin and Ravo street sweepers, Federal Signal safety and security systems, Guzzler industrial vacuums, Jetstream waterblasters and Vactor sewer cleaners. Federal Signal was founded in 1901 and is based in Oak Brook, Ill. For more information, visit www.federalsignal.com.
