We’re learning more about the plans for Vail Rubber Company’s new manufacturing facility destined for Royalton Township, thanks to work being organized by Cornerstone Alliance’s Business Development Team which secured a tax abatement plan for the company tonight.
We recently reported that Vail Rubber, a national leader in the rubber industry for more than 125 years, will build a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant, but the facility blueprints now exceed 68,550 square feet, some 10,000 more square feet than originally tabbed for the site in Royalton Township. Vail Rubber has been headquartered in St. Joseph since 1920 and has outgrown its current facility in downtown St. Joseph.
Cathy Tilley, Business Development Manager at Cornerstone Alliance told Royalton Township officials tonight that Vail has hired Pearson Construction of Benton Harbor to build the new, $8.3 Million campus. Pearson has led the construction industry in Berrien County for more than 100 years. Tilley met with Royalton Township Commissioners today to introduce the project.
Tilley says, “Vail Rubber is one of Berrien County’s most respected employers and today’s announcement will set them up for another century of making the highest-quality roll covers.” She adds, “Without the support of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Royalton Township Commission, this project would not have occurred. The increased investment will have a very positive impact on Royalton Township and the increased traffic will greatly benefit the businesses in the Hollywood Road corridor.”
Tonight, the Royalton Township Board approved the creation of an Industrial Development District and granted a 12-year tax abatement for Vail Rubber’s new building. Construction is set to begin in April and is set to be completed by March 2020. The new facility will result in the creation of at least 10 new positions.
Bill Hanley, President of Vail Rubber Works, says, “We are very excited to expand our manufacturing footprint in Royalton Township and would like to thank the MEDC, Cornerstone Alliance and Royalton Township for helping to make this a reality.”
Started in 1892, Vail began manufacturing rubber railroad ties with the goal of making rail travel quieter and softer. Vail quickly moved to a product with greater demand – molded rubber horseshoes. As more people drove horseless carriages, the company adapted to a new rubber product to protect bearings on paper handling rolls from acid spray. That resulted in Vail’s segue into manufacturing roll covers for the paper, metal and other industries, something they have perfected over the last 100 years
Greg Vaughn, Chief Operating Officer at Cornerstone Alliance says, “Vail Rubber has been one of the most visible and successful companies in Berrien County for more than a century. They are an employer of choice due to their commitment to employee safety and consistent, steady growth. This new facility will set them up for another century of being the country’s most respected roll cover manufacturer.”
Cornerstone Alliance is Berrien County’s lead economic development agency, a non-profit, investor-governed organization primarily focused on increasing employment opportunities, private sector capital investments and the local tax base in Michigan’s Great Southwest; with specialized business services offered in economically distressed areas.
