AFS Corporate Member General Kinematics broke ground in August on a 42,000-sq.ft. plant expansion at its Crystal Lake, Illinois, corporate headquarters. The manufacturing addition will be part of its existing 220,000-sq.-ft. space to facilitate increasing demand and more extensive equipment offerings for the mining, foundry, and recycling industries. 

“The expansion of our North American manufacturing facility has been needed for a while,” said General Kinematics President Tom Musschoot. “We can handle some of our larger products, such as STM-SERIES Two-Mass mining screens, FINGER-SCREEN recycling screens, and large rotary and vibratory drums for foundry applications. It will further expand our capabilities for our Tuffman and GK Systems brands.”

Plans for the addition include high bay ceilings, which will allow the installation of cranes with 80-ton lifting capacity. The new area will also provide space for further capital equipment purchases and increased material storage. 

Vice President of North American Sales Jim Egan added, “We see multiple positive outcomes from this investment. Our customers know we are committed to solving their production challenges and our employees see the investment as a commitment to providing them with the best equipment to complete the job safely and efficiently.”

The company plans to hire 15 new employees to support the increased throughput. Construction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2023.