Two companies in Clermont County are set to expand, and have been approved for tax abatements as they add employees.
Spectra-Tech Manufacturing, Inc., will soon add 50% more space to its 18,000-square-foot facility on Borman Drive in Batavia Township. When the addition is completed in April, the company will have approximately 27,000 square feet -- and 9 more employees. Spectra-Tech is investing $650,000 into the addition plus $1 million in new equipment.
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Inspector Coy Irwin examines the soldered joints on a board. |
Spectra-Tech builds printed circuit boards assemblies -- between 50,000 and 60,000 a month -- for its many customers. CEO and President Scott Reilman, one of the four founders of the company, gave us a tour of his high-tech operation recently. The company, which launched in 1998, does between $15 million and $20 million in sales each year.
"Everyone in the company is responsible for the quality of the products we build," Reilman emphasized as he walked through the plant. The company employs about 40 full-time and 40 contract workers, many of them skilled workers certified to industry standards, he said, including ISO-9000, IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001.
Spectra-Tech annually purchases millions of dollars worth of electronic components -- including thousands of blank circuit boards from China -- to meet the demands of its customers, which range from makers of radar detectors and environmental sensors, to high-tech medical imaging machine controllers.
One of its newest machines, from Fuji, can place up to 54,000 electronic components per hour.
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Completed circuit boards. |
Reilman said that most of the company's customers are within a 250-mile radius. China might offer slightly cheaper products at higher volumes, but Spectra-Tech offers their customers competitive pricing with high quality, personal service and the flexibility that offshore suppliers cannot.
"They want to visit our facility to see our capabilities, observe their products being built, and discuss their products' technical requirements," Reilman said.
On Dec. 3, Clermont County Commissioners approved a tax abatement for Spectra-Tech of 50% over 8 years, with an estimated tax savings of $69,000 over the life of the abatement.
Savor Seasonings to build new headquarters
Savor Seasonings, which is currently located across the street from Spectra-Tech on Borman Drive, will build a 20,000-square-foot plant on Armstrong Boulevard to accommodate its growth.
The company, which is a leading supplier of snack seasonings (its newest include salted caramel chipotle and honey Cajun), will retain its current 14 employees and has pledged to create 10 new jobs.
Savor Seasonings will invest $2.25 million in its new building and property. It will maintain its current payroll of $850,000 with an additional $350,000 for the new jobs.
On Dec. 3, Clermont County Commissioners approved a tax abatement of 60% over 8 years, with an estimated tax savings of $286,000 over the life of the abatement.