January 17, 2006
Eklins Breaks Ground on New Baker County Manufacturing Project
Jacksonville, Florida - Representatives of the Baker County Commission, Development Commission, and Chamber of Commerce were among the 45 people who attended a groundbreaking ceremony today for the new Hanson Roof Tile Manufacturing Plant to be built by Elkins Constructors, Inc., in Baker County, FL. Also attending were representatives from the Town of Glen Council and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce.
Elkins will act as the general contractor on the plant construction, which is scheduled for completion in June 2006. Located at Enterprise West Industrial Park in Sanderson, FL, the pre-engineered metal structure will feature concrete block, cast-in-place concrete and 120,000 square feet of space.
Larry Kiger, consulting constructor for Hanson Roof Tile, has built six plants for the organization. This is Hanson’s first new plant on the East Coast. The company is headquartered in Deerfield Beach in South Florida, with manufacturing plants in three other states.
“I am pleased with the attitude and professionalism of Elkins Constructors, especially the team’s openness, honesty and willingness to work together.” said Kiger. “In fact, I am pleased with the entire design/build team on this project. Everyone has been helpful, professional and knowledgeable. It has been great."
The new plant will manufacture concrete roof tile for single- and multi-family developments, custom homes, and re-roofing applications, as well as commercial applications. This is the company’s fifth plant in Florida, and it is designed to meet the high demand for its product in the southeastern United States while expanding into other markets, according to a company representative.
“The new plant will give us the production capabilities we need to address the ongoing demand for roof tile for both new construction and re-roofing,” said John Quigley, P.E., Hanson Roof Tile group technical services manager. “Our first priority is the Florida market, but this location in northern Florida will also allow us to grow into new markets after the supply situation in our own state stabilizes.”
Hanson is the leading manufacturer of concrete roofing tile in the United States and operates numerous plants in California, Arizona, Texas and Florida. It is a subsidiary of Hanson PLC, which is the world’s second largest building materials producer.
Hanson Roof locating to Baker County reflects the work of local officials to recruit businesses to invest in the county and increase job growth, as the population is predicted to double in the next 10 to 20 years. The new Hanson Roof plant will bring up to 71 new jobs to the area.