Megavolt joins Industrial Center tenants

by Bryan Smith

SBJ Staff

Another Springfield business is making a move to the Partnership Industrial Center.

Megavolt, a manufacturer of starters, alternators and generators for agricultural and construction equipment, has signed on to move its facility to the industrial center, located near I-44.

The company, which is a joint venture between Springfield ReManufacturing Corporation and Case Corporation, will build a 50,000-square-foot building, comprising 45,000 square feet of plant space and 5,000 square feet of office space. The building will be located on seven acres of land.

Dianna Devore, general manager of Megavolt, said the existing facility is too cramped for employees to work in now, and the new building would alleviate that problem.

"It will allow us to expand and bring some new customers in," Devore said. "I think it will add appeal that will add new customers."

The expansion will also make a difference in the job market. Devore estimated the new building could bring in 62 employees.

"We have a 15 percent growth plan, and we think that would yield a 10 percent growth in employees," Devore said.

The company has contracted with Bell Building Systems to construct the facility, which should be finished by 2000.

"They should be in there by the end of the year," said Ron Bell, president of Bell Building Systems. "We should break ground within a week to 10 days."

Megavolt will hold its official groundbreaking July 13.

Devore said she started looking for a new home for Megavolt in January. After looking primarily for sites, she saw the center as a good place to move.

"We were looking at some alternatives," Devore said. "The Partnership Industrial Center really gives you a good value because all those utilities are already-ran."

Greg Williams of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce said the center was an ideal choice for Megavolt's new home.

"They're expanding. They need the additional square footage," Williams said. "It's a logical location for their expansion."

Megavolt is the 15th business to move into the Partnership Industrial Center. The 360-acre area was developed in 1993, and is a partnership between the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, the city of Springfield, City Utilities and the Springfield Business Development Corporation.

Williams said the Partnership Industrial Center was expected to reach its full capacity by 2003.

But with only 55 acres of land available, the development could be filled by next year.

"It's been highly successful," Williams said. "We're well ahead of schedule."

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