MANSFIELD — A longtime Mansfield-based employer has announced plans to relocate and expand into a larger facility at 50 Mansfield Industrial Parkway.
The move will allow Automatic Parts, currently at 433 Springmill St., to add more machinery and possibly double its number of employees within only a few years, according to Justin Constable, general manager of Automatic Parts and vice president of AP Couplings, another company acquired by Automatic Parts more than a year ago.
“What’s happened at this facility is we’ve been cramming machines in every nook and cranny, everywhere we can. It’s actually hurting efficiency,” Constable said. “I’m at a point where I can’t bring any more machines in this building, so therefore, I can’t bring on any more associates to help with our back log and facilitate all of the new business that has presented itself.”
The company’s new building is about 30 percent larger than its current one, but because of its open layout, Constable believes, it will feel even larger.
“Here, it is so chopped up that even if we maintained the same square footage, and it was in a big open square, it’d be like doubling our size,” he said.
The new building is located adjacent to the Coca Cola Bottling Company and behind a former gymnastics building, which now sits vacant.
Constable says he’ll consider a 7,500-square-foot expansion to the new building and would even consider purchasing the vacant building just to the south in the future. The proposed expansion has already been mapped out by a former owner of the building.
“We could potentially nearly double our size within a few years. We’re at 25 to 30 employees now, and I have more employees locked in, waiting for the move. I just don’t have anywhere to stick them right now,” Constable said.
Automatic Parts, founded in 1956, manufactures parts for multiple industries, including electronic, food processing, hydraulic, military, pump, recreation and transportation. And AP Couplings makes couplings, hose fittings and more for fire truck manufacturers and oil fracking, among others. Ap couplings will be considered as a manufacturer, having our own patented and proprietary products. A name change is being considered to consolidate the two entities to Automatic Parts and Couplings.
AP Couplings was acquired about a year and a half ago. It was formerly known as Techno Hose and was located in Monroeville. When it was bought, the manufacturing process was relocated to Springmill Street.
Automatic Parts was bought from its original owner in 2009, and the new owners have since rented the Springmill Street building. They began looking elsewhere about eight to nine months ago.
“The building is really really old and we could dump a lot of money into it without getting much out of it,” Constable said.
He anticipates a “more modern” and “inviting” look at the new location.
“It will have a great appearance, and it’ll be easier to bring people in with open arms,” he said.
The electricity in the new building is currently being upgraded, so a date hasn’t been set yet for the move.
During the transition, Constable expects business will briefly run from both locations. All employees are expected to be retained in the process.
Five new pieces of equipment are on order for the new location. They will be delivered to the new facility.
“We’re too busy to just shut everything down and move,” Constable said. “What will happen is we’ll run a part on a machine until the last second, then power it down, drain the oils and get it moved to the other facility.”
Constable emphasized that moving out of the area was never a consideration. He was determined to stay within Mansfield.
“Although we have a large customer base spreading throughout the country, we wanted to stay put here and embrace our local customers, as well,” he said, adding that the city and county both helped the business find its new location.
“Essentially, we can’t wait to bring them in a show off a bit. In comparison to the old building, the new one will be truly glorious,” Constable said. “It may not be a big deal to another, but for us, it will be like trading in a Yugo for a Ferrari.”
He thanked his employees for their work, and for playing a part in the company’s growth.
“I know it sounds cliche, but our employees are one big happy family,” Constable said.
He hopes long term to continue this culture and for Automatic Parts and AP Couplings to become known as “among the premier employers” in Mansfield.
