ORBIS Celebrates Urbana Plant Expansion, New Warehouse

Urbana, Ohio – This week at a grand opening event, ORBIS Corporation celebrated the completion of a plant expansion and the construction of a massive new warehouse in Urbana, Ohio.  It marked the completion of an expansion project announced just over a year ago.

The addition to the Urbana production facility provides 30% more space for producing plastic totes, bulk containers and pallets. According to company officials at the event, the Urbana site already has the broadest range of products of any ORBIS plant. The expansion has facilitated the addition of new presses and tools to increase capacity and shorten lead times. One massive new machine was running during the tour, producing plastic pallet top caps at the time.

Located a short distance from the plant, the new warehouse is more than 670,000 square feet. Close to completion, the official opening was moved up to coincide with the plant expansion celebration. In addition to storage, the warehouse will also include value-added activities. For example, it will install seat belt systems for top caps, such as those being manufactured during the tour.

The event was attended by several local, state and federal partners and other entities involved in the project.

“Orbis has been a vital part of the community since they first started operation in 1980.”

Bill Bean, Urbana Mayor

“It’s really exciting to be here to see all the different stages of development and think back to how much time it takes to put really good quality deals together and to create an environment for businesses to be able to continue to grow,” said Julie Sullivan, Executive Vice President, Regional Development at Dayton Development Coalition. “So (we are) happy to have been part of that phase of it.”

Bill Bean, Urbana Mayor, offered a historical perspective on ORBIS’s relationship with Urbana since it first began local operations in 1980. Over the decades, the plant has continued to grow and add new jobs for the community. 

“I’m excited that Orbitz has expanded their existing manufacturing operation and brought more job opportunities to Urbana,” he said. “Orbis has been a vital part of the community since they first started operation in 1980. And I’m very honored they are here in Urbana. Not only does this bring jobs and opportunities to our community, it also boosts real estate sales, along with heightened revenue to local businesses, because of these additional jobs. They have been community-oriented.”

For Norm Kukuk, ORBIS president, it was also a time to reflect. “This is a plant that I’d come visit often and has a special place in my heart,” he said, “having started to come here back in 1998 as an entry level product manager working on the product development of StackPak, one of the first handheld lines done out of the Urbana facility. So this is an important place for me.”

“I’m pretty proud of this expansion,” Kukuk continued. “The power of partnerships and collaboration is a key part of what ORBIS does.” He expressed gratitude to the corporate and community partners network that came together to deliver the project. 

4 Reasons Why Grand Openings Matter

Celebrating the grand opening of a new facility is more than just an acknowledgment of a new business venture; it signifies the culmination of meticulous planning, collaboration, and investment. Here’s why companies should consider commemorating this occasion with partnering companies and public sector partners despite the associated costs:

1. Strengthening Business Relationships: A grand opening event allows partnering companies and organizations to unite in a celebratory setting. It reaffirms the mutual commitment to their shared objectives and solidifies the trust and collaboration that underpin their partnership. By including these stakeholders in the celebration, companies acknowledge the collective effort that brought the project to life.
2. Enhancing Public Perception: When public sector partners participate in such events, it gives credibility and endorsement to the company’s venture. It signals to the broader community and potential clients or customers that the company operates transparently, has met all required regulatory benchmarks, and is aligned with broader public sector goals. This positive perception can provide a competitive edge in the marketplace.
3. Engaging the Local Community: A grand opening serves as an introductory handshake to the community or, as in the case above, a renewing of vows with the city. By making it a significant event, companies can foster goodwill, introduce the value they bring to the locale, and position themselves as a positive force for local development and employment.
4. Return on Investment: While there’s a cost associated with hosting a grand opening, the potential returns – in terms of strengthened partnerships, goodwill, community engagement, and brand visibility – can outweigh the initial investment.

While the immediate outlay for a grand opening celebration might seem substantial, the long-term benefits, both tangible and intangible, can help justify the expenditure. It’s an investment in relationships, brand-building, and the future success of the facility. In a way, it could be likened to being part of site preparation or pouring the foundation for future business expansion in the years ahead. 

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