After a company expands to Buffalo Niagara we like to visit and see how their operations are progressing . Recently we stopped by AMDOR, a division of Whiting Group, which is a Canadian headquartered manufacturer. Whiting Group selected Buffalo Niagara for their AMDOR location. After renovating its facility, AMDOR is now fully operational and has been running seamlessly in its first six weeks.
Here is a behind the scenes look at AMDOR’s expansion and the work that went into setting up shop in Buffalo Niagara:
Headquartered in Burlington, Ontario, Whiting Group is an advanced manufacturer with multiple divisions and facilities including a location in Lancaster, NY. The company needed to expand its AMDOR division, which manufacturers roll up doors for fire apparatus, ambulances and other specialty vehicle applications. AMDOR considered expanding at its existing facility in Burlington, or establishing their first U.S. site in Buffalo Niagara, Wisconsin or Florida.
AMDOR weighed several critical priorities in their relocation decision, including:
- Cost effective location, including infrastructure, workforce and facility
- Existing building or build-to-suite options that could meet budget and timeline expectations
- Available and talented workforce
- Close proximity to Canadian headquarters
Buffalo Niagara Enterprise (BNE) helped AMDOR complete a real estate search for their new facility and provided employee wage data, worker availability and potential benefits costs based on the specific job positions and descriptions. Through the assistance of BNE and other regional agencies, the company gained a better understanding of Buffalo Niagara’s incentive process and completed various incentive applications, meeting required deadlines. AMDOR applied for and received benefits from Lancaster Industrial Development Agency (Lancaster IDA), Empire State Development (ESD), New York Power Authority (NYPA), and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). To ensure the company had the needed utilities and supply, BNE connected AMDOR with New York State Electric and Gas Corporation and National Fuel.
AMDOR purchased a 21,000 sq. ft. existing facility on eight acres in Lancaster, NY and completed a 10,000 sq. ft. addition. AMDOR is on its way to hiring 17 people this year, with plans to have at least 28 full time employees by year five.