REP, Inc. announces $2.5M expansion of Gainesville operations

GAINESVILLE - Rotating Engineered Products, Inc. (REP) president and founder Jim Hene announced Thursdsay the firm has outgrown its existing facility on Murphy Boulevard in Gainesville and will develop a new headquarters, engineering, sales and production center on a new site in Hall County.

"Our business success in Gainesville-Hall County is an attribute to our employees and our customers, but our ability to keep growing here is a credit to the partnership we experienced with the City of Gainesville, Hall County, the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce and the Gainesville and Hall County Development Authority," said Jim Hene.

Headquartered in Hall County, REP is a distributor and service provider for "positive displacement blowers, vacuum pumps and related equipment" for industrial applications. The company provides a number of services involving positive displacement blowers and vacuum pumps including system integration, fabrication capabilities, custom equipment design and distribution.

REP will develop a new 40,000-square-foot production facility on a 10-acre site in Gainesville Industrial Park West. The new location will provide REP the opportunity to meet its current and future growth needs. As part of the company's current growth, REP will add five new jobs and invest more than $2.5 million in land, building and equipment. The company expects to begin construction in April and complete the new facility by October 2014.

"Existing businesses like REP provide quality jobs, and their corporate revenue is spent over and over in our community," said Gainesville Mayor Danny Dunagan in commenting on the firm's plans. "Those are dollars that turn up again at other local businesses and support more job creation. I'm excited REP officials are renewing their commitment to Gainesville and Hall County with this new investment."

"This community has proven a real commitment to its existing businesses and to supporting their continued growth. REP contributes jobs, investment and civic engagement in Hall County," added Dick Mecum, Chairman of the Hall County Commission.

As part of the expansion, the city will improve the access road that serves the Chicopee Mill property and REP's new business location.

"This is a win-win for the community, REP and the existing businesses in the Chicopee Mill Park," said Tim Evans, Vice President of Economic Development for the Greater Hall Chamber. "The 10-acre industrial park site needed an access improvement for industry use, and the City, County and Authority worked together on a solution to benefit several existing industries."

Philip Wilheit, Chairman of the Gainesville and Hall County Development Authority added, "REP has an exceptional record of corporate citizenship for over 20 years in Hall County, and it was important that we find a solution and a site that would allow the company to continue its record of growth and community support."

"We appreciate the City of Gainesville, Hall County, Greater Hall Chamber and the Development Authority's work to address our needs and allow us to stay and grow in the community," said Hene.

For employment opportunities, contact the Georgia Department of Labor, 2756 Atlanta Highway, Gainesville, GA 30504. (770) 535-5484. www.dol.state.ga.us