General Kinematics begins expansion of headquarters

CRYSTAL LAKE - General Kinematics has broken ground on a 42,000-square-foot plant expansion at its U.S. corporate headquarters in Crystal Lake. The manufacturing addition will be part of the company's existing 220,000-square-foot space to facilitate increasing demand and more extensive equipment offerings for the mining, foundry and recycling industries, it said in a news release.

Plans for the addition include high bay ceilings, which will allow the installation of cranes with an 80-ton lifting capacity. The new area will also provide space for further capital equipment purchases and increased material storage.

The company plans to hire 15 new employees to support the increased business. Construction is expected to be completed in the spring.

"The expansion of our North American manufacturing facility has been needed for a while," said General Kinematics President Tom Musschoot. The added space will handle the company's larger products, such as rotary and vibratory drums for foundry applications, he said.