(Host) Husky Injection Molding Systems in Milton announced on Wednesday that it plans to expand its plant and add up to 100 new jobs. Husky officials plan to add onto the existing buidling, and have already begun hiring for 50 new positions.
Company Vice President Dirk Schlimm says the expansion is due to Husky’s dramatic improvement in recent quarters:
(Schlimm) “Part of the reason we have seen this improvement is the ‘Hot Runner’ business, which we have here. So we are responding to greater business demands for the product we are manufacturing here in Milton, Vermont.”
(Host) The Hot Runner division builds machinery to manufacture plastics, such as lip balm containers, headlight lens for cars and components for medical equipment. Company officials say they chose to expand their Vermont facility because the state offers tax credits and electricity discounts to expanding businesses. Regulatory agencies still need to approve these economic incentives for Husky, along with permits for the 17,000-square-foot building expansion.
Governor Jim Douglas welcomed the news of Husky’s expansion plans and offered any help his administration can provide:
(Douglas) “In terms of Husky, I’ve asked our Economic Development Department to Shepard this expansion – and every expansion project – through the permitting process; to make sure permit specialists from the Agency of Natural Resources is available to answer questions and facilitate the permitting process.”
(Host) If the permits are in place, the expanded operations at Husky could be in effect by September. The Milton plant is one of the company’s three operations around the globe.