Fenner Precision Polymers Advances Its Growth Strategy with the Acquisition of Metal Conveyor Belt Manufacturer, Lumsden Corporation
Previous owner, Kreider Farms, sells Fenner a 41-acre property zoned as light industrial.
Based in Lancaster, Pa. for more than 45 years, Lumsden Corporation will remain a part of the Central Pennsylvania business economy, while expanding the portfolio of belting and high-value component (metal) solutions for Fenner™ Precision Polymers
LITITZ, PA. JUNE 15, 2023 — Fenner™ Precision Polymers, a Michelin Group Company and world leader in reinforced polymer technology, announced the purchase of 41 acres of property zoned for light industrial development in Lancaster County’s Penn Township. Fenner plans to develop the site, previously owned by Kreider Farms, as a 400,000-square-foot world-class environmentally responsible manufacturing facility. The project plans to consolidate the majority of Fenner’s manufacturing plant sites in Pennsylvania into one location. The property is located at 426 Hostetter Road, Manheim.
“Manufacturing remains the top leading contributor to GDP in Lancaster County at 19 percent and it is the second leading employment sector at 16 percenti,” said Jack Krecek, Divisional Managing Director, Fenner Precision Polymers. “Fenner’s continued focus on growth and this exciting new development project is a testament to the strength of the manufacturing industry and we look forward to spurring it onward through the innovation and productivity that will be born here.”
Reducing the number of Fenner’s plants streamlines operations and improves staff collaboration and the sharing of skillsets. It also delivers greater annualized cost savings realized through operational efficiencies. In the end the new development will deliver a world-class manufacturing environment the company will be proud to showcase to its customers.
It was also important that the site’s selection and operations take advantage of every opportunity to minimize environmental impact, in alignment with Michelin Group’s net-zero emissions ambition by 2050. While utilizing an existing structure was preferable, the current market availability of commercial space remains extremely tight, and there were no truly suitable options that met Fenner Precision Polymers’ requirements for future growth. Developing a new site allows the company to design for sustainability including leveraging more energy efficient equipment, utilizing renewable energy sources, reducing water consumption, and reducing waste generation.
Zoned for light industrial development since 2011, the land purchase is located within the designated urban growth boundary for the region. The project team includes Scott Bradbury at US Commercial Realty, Barley Snyder, HF Lenz Engineering, and Warfel Construction, with consulting from Economic Development Company of Lancaster, PA. Fenner will conduct detailed building design and land development throughout the balance of 2023. Construction will be completed in multiple phases over the next 5 years. The first phase of construction is scheduled to begin in Q2 of 2024 with building occupancy expected early 2025.
As Fenner departs several of its existing facilities, the move will open new commercial real estate opportunities for other businesses at a time when market inventory is in low supply. While Fenner Precision Polymers enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with Manheim Township and Manheim Borough, the company’s growth trajectory, need for accommodating that growth, and market availability for commercial development necessitated a change in location.
“The economic resilience and vitality of Central Pennsylvania is immensely stronger thanks to the contributions of manufacturing enterprises like Fenner Precision Polymers,” said Lisa D. Riggs, former President, Lancaster County Economic Development Company. “Lancaster County’s GDP grew 5 percent from 2020 to 2021 with manufacturing and professional business services responsible for 46 percent of that growth.ii Fenner’s development project helps maintain the sector’s momentum.”
ABOUT FENNER PRECISION POLYMERS
Fenner Precision Polymers. Fenner Precision Polymers is a Michelin Group Company. With over 900 employees worldwide, Fenner Precision Polymers is a trusted supplier of engineered solutions for performance-critical applications. The company’s product lines support clients across a variety of industries including 3D printing, document handling, transportation, mining, agriculture, aerospace, climate control, material handling, food processing, and manufacturing. Product lines include, but are not limited to, coated fabrics and technical textiles, link belting for power transmission and conveying, keyless locking devices, Eagle polyurethane belting, industrial conveyor belting, wire cloth, silicone and organic rubber hoses, customized bearing solutions, and PowerMax composite products. Learn more about Fenner Precision Polymers and its subsidiaries, Fenner Drives, Fenner Precision, James Dawson, NinjaTek, Fabri Cote, MAV S.p.A., Hoyt, and Lumsden Belting.
For further information regarding Fenner Precision Polymers US operations, please contact:
Media Contact
Sam Wells
(202) 888-4600
[email protected]
Fenner Precision Polymers
Lynne M. DeMers-Hunt
(717) 572-0394
[email protected]