Industry News

Porter Adventist Hospital in Denver is initiating an $80-million redevelopment project comprised of 100,000 sf of renovated space and 100,000 sf of new construction. The first phase of the development, a new emergency department housing state-of-the-art surgery suites, opened June 29, 2004 . The project also includes a two-story entryway and 36 new intensive care beds combining cardiac and surgical units. Completion is expected by year-end 2006.

St. Louis-based Spartech Corp. opened its new 30,000-sf product development center in Warsaw , Ind., in June 2004. The $8-million facility will accommodate the development of alloy plastics, thermoplastics, and advanced polymer products.

Joplin, Mo.-based Tamko Roofing Products and Canadian firm IKO Industries are partnering on a $100-million production facility in Clarksville , Tenn. Sited in the Clarksville-Montgomery County Corporate Business Park , the joint venture is called MW/MB LLC. The plant will manufacture wet chopped fiberglass strands to be used in roofing material.  Construction began in April 2004; an official groundbreaking ceremony will be celebrated in mid-August 2004. The plant will be operational by early 2006.

Bruno Independent Living Aids is planning a $5.65 million, 100,000-sf expansion of its Oconomowoc, Wisc., facility. Bruno produces power chairs, scooters, vehicle lifts, and physical disability aids.

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies is planning to construct a $500-million manufacturing center in Shenzhen , China. Construction on the plant is slated to begin in late 2004. Production of 3.5” disk drives will begin at the new facility in the fourth quarter of 2005.