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Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/78196
INDUSTRY NEWS Ventrac breaks ground on new Ohio facility VENTURE PRODUCTS, INC., manufacturer of the Ventrac compact tractor, held a groundbreaking ceremony June 26 for a new manufacturing facility in Orrville, Ohio. The new facility is located on a 21- acre site at 500 Enterprise Dr., which is just north of Smith Dairy in Orrville's newest industrial park. Company executives, city officials, and community development members were in attendance. "We are excited for this opportunity as we focus on the future and expand our capabilities and capacities to make this location the corporate/global headquarters for Ventrac," said Dallas Steiner, president and CEO of Venture Products, Inc. Ventrac has experienced significant growth the past few years, exceeding the capacities of its two current manufacturing facilities. The new 116,400-square-foot facility will allow Ventrac to house all operations at one location. The project will be completed in three phases, taking place over the course of three years. Phase one will house research and development, fabrication, welding, parts and warehouse departments. When completed, all operations — including corporate offices, assembly, paint, purchasing, marketing and sales — will be conducted under one roof. "Ventrac has been blessed to be in this position of growth and are grateful for the strong dealerships that carry our products," said Dallas Steiner. "Our dealers and customers are very important to us, and this new facility will allow Ventrac to better meet their needs." Mark Steiner, vice president and facilities manager, added, "The new expansion will allow Ventrac to grow its manufacturing capacities, add continued improvement to LEAN manufacturing principles, and allow additional purchase of state-of-the-art machinery." Dallas Steiner thanked employees for stepping up to meet the ever-growing sales demands. "Our employees have stepped up and gone above and beyond to help us meet production goals, and I thank each one for their contribution as we grow and expand our product line throughout the world." The company will be adding new jobs as a result of the building expansion. "We are looking forward to the expansion project because it will become the future home of Ventrac, which will not only house the current employees," said Randy Kitzmiller, director of operations, "but will also allow us to grow and add even more employees in the future." Dallas Steiner and Mark Steiner concluded the groundbreaking event by scooping dirt with two Ventrac compact tractors with power bucket attachments as a symbolic gesture to this new beginning. GIE+EXPO announces additional free concert on Friday THE GREEN INDUSTRY & EQUIPMENT EXPO (GIE+EXPO) — which will be held Wednesday, Oct. 24 (Dealer Day), through Friday, Oct. 26, in Louisville, Ky. — announced July 17 the addition of another free concert. Kentucky native Candy Coburn will return to GIE+EXPO to perform a concert on Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. in downtown Louisville at Fourth Street Live! Prior to the concert, Coburn will be signing autographs at the booth of the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Coburn is a veritable country rock star. Her most recognizable hits include "Pink Warrior," "Enjoy the Ride" and "Rev It Up," and some GIE+EXPO attendees may remember when she performed at GIE+EXPO in 2008. Her newest single, "That Thing You Do," is steadily climbing the charts. Coburn's first three albums were Candy Coburn 8 "Enjoy the Ride" in 2005, "Rev It Up" in 2007, and "Lucky" in 2011. In 2009, she co-wrote "Pink Warrior," an ode to her grandmother's struggle with breast cancer, and the song now serves as the official anthem for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. "I am so excited to have the opportunity to be invited back to GIE+EXPO and to my awesome home state of Kentucky!" Coburn said. "I look forward to bringing an all-new show, new music and brand-new album. Thanks for letting us be a part of such a fun event!" Other free concerts at this year's GIE+EXPO are Kansas at 9 p.m. Oct. 24, as well as The Trishas and the Eli Young Band at 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., respectively, on Oct. 25. The Oct. 25 concerts are sponsored by Nissan Commercial Vehicles. Register for GIE+EXPO and make hotel reservations at www.gie-expo.com. An early- bird registration fee of $10 is being offered until Sept. 9. After that, pre-registration will be $25. The onsite registration fee will be $50. OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT www.outdoorpowerequipment.com