Written on: July 26, 2016 by ICM
Local, state and federal officials joined Roth Industries, Inc. to celebrate the company’s $6.0 million expansion project ground breaking at its Watertown, NY facility in the City Center Industrial Park. Manfred Roth, Chairman and CEO of the company, was in town from Germany for the event and kicked off the ceremony by welcoming guests and local/state representatives. “Watertown is very important to us. After having started our production in Watertown just ten years ago, we are now entering into our next phase of the expansion,” stated Roth.
Speakers included Mayor Joe Butler, Assemblywoman Addie Russell (D. – 116th District), Sarah Compo on behalf of Senator Patty Ritchie, Steve Hunt with Empire State Development, Don Alexander and David Zembiec with Jefferson County Economic Development and Don Rutherford with Watertown Local Development Corporation.
“The fact that Roth is choosing to make an investment here in Watertown of $6 million when they could have made it in any other state or any other community means new jobs for Watertown, more capital investment,” said David Zembiec of Jefferson County Economic Development.
“Any time you have a business that’s looking to put the capital investment that they’re looking to put into this expansion and to hire additional employees that’s a very positive thing for Watertown,” said Don Rutherford, CEO of the Watertown Local Development Corporation.
“It tells you that there’s opportunity out there for good companies, like Roth Industries, to be successful in the city of Watertown,” said city Mayor Joe Butler.
“We are perfectly positioned to be able to have a great facility here that not only has the opportunity to expand right now but to continue to grow,” said Assemblywoman Addie Russell (D. – 116th District).
“We are committed to supporting manufacturing companies like Roth Industries, as they expand and support job growth throughout New York State,”said ESD President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky. “The company’s investment in Jefferson County will contribute to the state’s expanding manufacturing industry and further cement New York’s status as a national leader in clean and renewable energy.”
“It’s really exciting to have this day and now the hard work begins,” said Joe Brown, president and CEO of Roth Industries North American Operations. “The bulk of the Company’s products are used in the residential housing market and times were very difficult during the economic downturn for several years. The Roth ownership remained steadfast, loyal and supportive and we stand here today a stronger, leaner, better organized business than ever before with a goal to continue to improve, grow and give back to our employees as a result of Roth’s stewardship.”
The project will include a 27,000 sq. ft. expansion, the installation of a new blow molding machine, and the creation of at least twelve new jobs—six upon completion of the project, with the balance added as business grows over the next several years. The new machine will add the capacity to produce additional product lines at the Watertown plant that are in prototype development now.
Roth Industries is a German-owned company specializing in environmentally-friendly products that produce, distribute, and store energy for domestic and commercial applications. Roth’s Watertown facility produces its famous Double-Wall Oil Storage Tanks, blow-molded construction/traffic barriers, manifolds and tubing for in-floor radiant heating systems. The Watertown location currently encompasses 42,000 square feet and employs 24 people in Watertown.
Source: Roth North America
