Xenia Manufacturing, Inc. announced plans to build a new facility during a press conference at the Richland County Development Corportation offices.

Xenia Manufacturing President and CEO, Andy Knapp, said plans call for a 20,000 square foot manufacturing facility to be constructed on lot 6 of the city's West Industrial Park. "We hope to be completed by mid to late summer of next year," Knapp said of the construction.

The company supplies wire assemblies for the automotive industry, primarily through North American Lighting.

Knapp said they plan to employ 50 people within the first year of operation. Starting wage will be about $5.80 an hour for a 40 hour week. The company will have a health plan and a gain share program as well. "I call us a mid-range wage company," he said.

The work does not require a lot of training, Knapp said, explaining that although they do have some automated equipment, the work is basically hands-on assembly. Knapp explained there will be a lot of job rotation and work cells with groups of workers attending to a product's assembly.

>After the conference, Knapp said the facility will be built on the east side of the 6.05 acre lot near Miller Drive. This will leave room to the west for future expansion.

Addressing a question from an audience member concerning the company's connection with Toyota, Knapp said they do not deal directly with the company but do provide a couple of assemblies for them through North American Lighting.

With a building of this size Knapp said as the facility grows, total employment could reach 100 with no problem and could possibly go higher.

~ Matt Courter/ Staff Writer