A business based in Amherstburg is looking to expand its reach.
G.B.I.E. is getting set to build a new 58,000-square-foot headquarters on Plymouth Dr. in Windsor.
President David Bareich says they made the decision to move thanks to the city's Community Improvement Plan grant program, which will save the company more than a million dollars over the next 10 years.
G.B.I.E. opened in 1973 and produces water-based coatings for auto makers in North America, Europe and Asia.
Bareich says the move will help with shipping logistics while also allowing them to double their workforce to about 30 employees. "We're looking to bring a level of professionalism to our business, to bring variety of functions under one roof, to get a little closer to the city. A little easier with transport, with the weather that we've had recently, it becomes obvious that that's a need."
The new facility is expected to cost $7.1-million. "The CIP grant helps us tremendously. There are definitely a lot of costs involved with coming to the city," says Bareich. "The City of Windsor has substantially higher taxes, but we hope to benefit from other services. The CIP grant, in the end, is a good persuader."
With sales more than doubling in the last five years, Bareich says the company has added a warehouse in Germany and is currently working on securing a site in China.
Final approval for the company's new Windsor headquarters will go before city council at a future meeting.
Bareich is hoping the facility can be fully operational within two years.