New York State awards $27 million in grants, many for technology and machinery upgrades in manufacturing

New York State manufacturers will get an injection of technology and equipment, thanks to the state government. Products and projects aimed at boosting economic growth across the state were awarded $27 million through the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative, including almost 80 expansion or renovation projects for manufacturers. Nearly 40 projects include machinery and equipment for manufacturing production line upgrades and new automation projects, presenting opportunities for machine builders and system integrators in those industries.

The following is a list of company awards and machine investments:

Robotic welding cell to repair augers in manure separators

Cuff Farm Services, Inc. will expand and upgrade welding and auger repair equipment in Auburn, Cayuga County. The project includes the design, construction and installation of a robotic welding cell to repair augers in manure separators. The new equipment will enable Cuff Farm Services to increase service capacity, contributing to the region’s agricultural economy by providing significant savings to farmers’ operating costs and reducing equipment downtime.

Automated equipment lines for specialty equipment manufacturer

Feldmeier Equipment, a manufacturer of tanks, vessels, agitators and specialty equipment will expand its manufacturing processes, including its automated equipment lines to enable the development of new products. The company will add additional production space and purchase and install machinery and equipment. The new product lines will focus on aseptic techniques and products, a new focus for many key providers in the dairy industry. The new facility will also be equipped to manufacture larger vessels than Feldmeier is currently able to produce, thereby increasing its product offerings.

Research and development facility for solar wafer processing equipment and pilot line

Linton Crystal Technologies, a semiconductor manufacturer, will purchase a new facility and expand operations. The new facility will allow Linton Crystal Technologies to increase research and development of solar wafer processing equipment and establish a solar wafer pilot line to bring the manufacturing part of its business into New York to join its current R&D operations.

Production machinery and equipment to establish an applesauce production line

Cahoon Farms located in Wolcott, Wayne County, currently processes fresh and frozen individually quick frozen (IQF) apples and IQF cherries, apple concentrate, single strength juice and unpasteurized single strength juice. It will renovate the facility and acquire new production machinery and equipment to establish an applesauce line. The additional production line will create new jobs and provide an indirect benefit to the apple producers in New York, providing them with an additional outlet for its supply, much of which is currently processed out of state.

4- and 5-axis CNC milling machines and robotic polishing/finishing equipment for aerospace component manufacturer

Turbo Machined Products custom designs and manufactures turbine blades, vanes, impellers and blisks, including Joint Strike Fighter engine parts for the sixth-generation fighter jet for the United States military. It will purchase additional manufacturing equipment for a location in Frankfort, Herkimer County. Equipment includes 4- and 5-axis CNC milling machines and robotic-type polishing/finishing equipment. The equipment purchase will enable Turbo Machined Products to bring a heat processing step and nondestructive testing in house, currently being done outside of New York.

Machinery line for thin-film coatings of semiconductor wafers for military applications

Located in Amherst, Oerlikon Balzers is a world-leading technology brand of Oerlikon for thin-film coatings of semi-conductor wafers. It will acquire and install a new machinery line to expand the capabilities of the coatings for military applications where the wafers/machinery are being utilized under high stress and in multiple challenging environments. Oerlikon will also use this new machinery to improve the coatings in the manufacturing of vacuum pumps, medical surgical tools, transportation (auto/air), energy storage/generation and consumer goods like showerheads.

Automation of machinery and equipment for cable manufacturing

Northeastern Electronics Company will expand its cable manufacturing operations in Elbridge, Onondaga County. The project includes renovations to the facility and the purchase and installation of machinery and equipment. The project will help to modernize the business with automation and improved cyber and physical infrastructure.

Machinery and equipment for CNC machine shop

N.E.T. & Die, a CNC machine shop, is looking to invest $7.3 million in a manufacturing expansion project. This project will revitalize a vacant building in Downtown Fulton and support the purchase of new machinery and equipment as part of the business expansion.

Battery pack welding production line

Unique Electric Solutions (UES) will establish a first-of-its-kind battery pack welding line for commercial electric trucks, buses and stationary battery programs. The facility will bring this high-tech operation to U.S. shores that has been traditionally imported from abroad.

Equipment for aerospace engine and structure assemblies component manufacturer

Magellan Aerospace New York will invest in cutting-edge equipment that will play a crucial role in optimizing and streamlining the company’s manufacturing operations. New York has been a leader in the aerospace global supply chain for over a century, and Magellan Aerospace will continue to prioritize investment to support complex assemblies and systems solutions to aircraft and engine manufacturers, defense and space agencies worldwide.

Machinery for aerospace clutch and brake manufacturer

SEPAC, a designer and producer of electromagnetic and magnetic particle brakes for aerospace, will expand its manufacturing facility in Elmira. The expansion includes machinery and equipment that will enhance SEPAC's operations in renewable energy, agriculture, healthcare, defense and transportation, as well as increase product offerings and facilitate new market opportunities in the agricultural and pharmaceutical packaging sectors.

Machinery for aerospace bearing manufacturer

SKF will purchase new machinery and equipment that focuses on implementing new manufacturing technology and continued development of highly skilled technical careers. It will invest in small bearing manufacturing, cage manufacturing and roller manufacturing improvements, targeting improved efficiency and building towards new technology needed to support future development programs within the aerospace bearings industry.

High-speed production line and wastewater system improvements for food and beverage manufacturing

Giovanni Food Co., Inc., a manufacturer and packager of food and beverage, will add a new high-speed production line at its facility in Baldwinsville, Onondaga County. The project will consist of engineering, purchasing and installation of a new high-speed manufacturing production line, plus the installation of a wastewater interceptor and cooling tunnel to treat and reuse water, reducing consumption by 25%.

Machinery for air filter/system manufacturing automation

Filtration Lab USA, Inc., dba Northland Filter International will expand its operations in Oswego County. The project will include the purchase and installation of new machinery and equipment at its site in Oswego to automate steps in the manufacturing of air filters/systems. The new equipment will help significantly increase capacity, decreasing lead times and better meeting market demands and allow for market growth.

Printing press, sheeting and die-cutter for carton packaging manufacturer

Diamond Packaging, a designer and manufacturer of innovative and sustainable folding cartons, will invest in new equipment and facility renovations. The company will purchase a new printing press, sheeter and a new die-cutter to further enhance its facility in Rochester, New York.

Electron beam sterilization machine for polymer crosslinking in foam manufacturing

MHXCo Foam Company, a manufacturer of foam products, plans to acquire a self-shielded electron beam (E-Beam) for cross-linking foam (the second of three steps in foam manufacturing) to increase manufacturing efficiency and global competitiveness. This investment will keep the entire production process in-house and allow the company to become completely vertically integrated.

Bottling production line

Brooks' Bottling Co., in the town of Oneonta, will expand its bottling facility by adding an additional production line, which will result in the creation of manufacturing jobs and products from the new production line.

Production lines for retail shelving manufacturing, including new robotic welding line

Storflex, a manufacturer of retail shelving, plans to complete a two-site expansion project in the Town of Erwin and the Village of Riverside, both located in Steuben County. The business expansion project will support the multistage manufacturing of designer retail shelving components, walk-in coolers and freezers and engineering services to supply customers throughout North America and Canada. Storflex will add new production lines, including a new robotic welding line and a new paint line.

Department for plastic processing operation for extruding products by recompounding scrap

Empire Polymer Solutions, a plastics recycling and manufacturing company, will expand operations in Van Buren, Onondaga County. The project will develop a new department to produce extruded products by recompounding scrap, expanding Empire Polymer Solutions' plastic processing operations to include the production of finished products.

Two lines for motor and drive manufacturer focused on wind and electric power

Advanced Motors & Drives (AMD) will expand its manufacturing capabilities by adding two new manufacturing lines and upgrading and expanding its current facilities in East Syracuse, Onondaga County. The project will position AMD to be a leader in two important emerging manufacturing technologies: the renewable energy section (windmill energy) and the large-traction electrification of vehicles (buses, delivery trucks, off-road construction vehicles).

Facility for medical device injection molding and assembly manufacturer

Roechling Medical Rochester, the North American flagship facility in the Roechling Medical family is expanding to better serve the increasing United States medical device needs. The Rochester facility is a leader in the medical device injection molding and assembly markets. Funding from CFA supports the addition of a new Roechling facility in the Rochester/Gates area and expands current specialty clean room capacity operations.

Production machinery and equipment for plastics manufacturer

CCMI, Inc., a plastics manufacturer in Ontario County, will construct an addition to its manufacturing facility to increase production capacity. The project includes investments in machinery and equipment and furniture, fixtures and equipment to support facility expansion.

Materials and surface solutions production line for manufacturer serving the thermal spray sector

Oerlikon Metco, a leading materials and surface solutions provider, will invest in a new machinery and equipment that will allow them to build a new product line and significantly increase capacity to meet a surge in demand in the thermal spray sector.

Product line for dairy distributor

Natural Foods, Inc. will expand its distribution presence in New York. By purchasing a new building and investing in machinery and equipment, Natural Foods will be able to expand its presence on Long Island and increase its footprint while expanding into new dairy product lines, hiring new employees and reaching outside of the region for additional growth in market share.

Automation and robotics labs for custom injection molding manufacturer in pharmaceuticals

Natech Plastics Inc. is a manufacturer of custom injection moldings located in Ronkonkoma. The company will invest in building renovations to include engineering automation and robotics labs and wet and dry lab space for growth into the pharmaceutical manufacturing field.

Potato chip processing production facility

Martin Sidor Farms, Inc. will expand its North Fork Potato Chips processing capacity by adding a new production facility and a potato museum attraction at its farm in Mattituck, New York. This expansion will enhance the Martin Sidor Farms potato business, which supplies fresh potatoes, potato chips and other products across the East Coast.

Automating processes at auto lift manufacturer, including material handling and welding support equipment

Mohawk Lifts, LLC, the leader in heavy duty auto lifts, has been a staple to the community for over 40 years in Amsterdam, New York. Mohawk Lifts will grow its operations by updating the manufacturing equipment and processing (adding automation to its process, updating the steel cutting/burning table, investing in material handling and welding support equipment, and creating a new factory floor layout to increase productivity and efficiency). These improvements will support increases to market share and growth into material handling distribution lifts, an area of competitive advantage with leading technology recently developed by the engineering team, and increase its workforce to support the new growth.

Automated pouch filling operation for wine manufacturer

Thousand Islands Winery, located in Alexandria Bay, New York, will expand its wine and wine slushy manufacturing capabilities to meet current market demand. The winery will phase out its manual pouch filling process and replace it with an automated pouch filling operation. This expansion will create one of the most advanced wine pouching capabilities in the state and allow the company to have greater control of its supply chain.

Product lines for Asian-inspired food manufacturer

Water Lilies, LLC, a successful food manufacturer in Bay Shore, will expand its manufacturing facility in the former Entenmann's building to include new product lines. The company's expansion will include manufacturing space to include frozen storage, acquisition of new equipment for added manufacturing lines and build-out of a new freezer storage system.

Electroless nickel plating line for surface metal finishing in aerospace

Magellan Aerospace performs non-destructive testing and surface metal finishing on aircraft/aerospace parts. It plans to expand into a new electroless nickel plating line as well as install new rectifiers that will help improve its manufacturing efficiency and allow it to take on new employees.

Specialized equipment for printing and manufacturing of flexible packaging

Poly Craft Industries, a manufacturer of high-end, flexible packaging, will build a state-of-the-art facility, purchase new equipment and relocate from Hauppauge, Long Island, to the City of Middletown, Orange County. An industry innovator, Poly Craft will be able to increase its capacity to develop environmentally conscious packaging and with new specialized equipment to enhance its printing and manufacturing capabilities.

Equipment for OEM in precision machining for aerospace and defense

FALA Technologies, in the City of Kingston, Ulster County, will purchase advanced manufacturing equipment used to build custom equipment for semiconductor, aerospace, transportation, military and industrial products industries. The company will create a pipeline for in demand jobs through its apprenticeship program in the industrial manufacturing sector.

Machinery for production line processing flat steel for snowplow blade manufacturer

Chemung Supply Corporation located in the Village of Horseheads in Chemung County will expand the production capacity of its Evolution Edges (EE) division to meet growing demand. The EE division manufactures snowplow blades. Its primary customers are municipalities and other units of governments throughout the United States. Chemung Supply Corp will upgrade its existing facility and expand the facility to house new machinery and equipment to support the production line for processing flat steel for its snowplow blades.

Equipment for packaging manufacturer of folding cartons and rigid boxes

F.M. Howell & Company founded in 1883 in Chemung County is a fourth generation, family owned, privately held, for profit pharmaceutical packaging company. The Howell Packaging division, which provides contract packaging services, specializing in the design and manufacture of folding cartons and rigid boxes, will expand the company's folding carton production capacity, with the purchase of new equipment.

Cultured dairy product lines and production capacity at small batch milk processing plant

Clark Farmstead Creamery, LLC is a small batch operation located in Delhi, New York. It will complete an expansion that will increase the production capacity of its licensed milk processing plant and creamery. This modified facility will enable the creamery to keep up with growing demand, as well as to develop new cultured dairy product lines to increase diversification and pursue new market opportunities including interstate sales of dairy products.

Equipment for plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition coatings for nano-coatings manufacturer

Metal Cladding is an industry leader in providing applied coating technologies that enhance product performance. It can deliver coatings such as medical grade fluoropolymers, hydrophilic and hydrophobic coatings, as well as antimicrobial technology. The company will purchase and install capital equipment capable of providing plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) coatings. The new equipment will give the capability to apply a nano-coating to customer parts and allow for further research and development, applied innovation, advancement into new markets and expansion of the customer base.

Production line for frozen food products

DeIorio’s Foods Inc. will enhance plant capacity by installing a new production line for its frozen food products and adding additional cold storage space. It will expand the existing footprint and increase its workforce to produce frozen food products which are exported both domestically and globally.

Machinery and equipment to increase on-site production for industrial LED lighting manufacturing

G&G Industrial Lighting designs and manufactures industrial LED lighting products that can withstand hard environments for sale to the automotive, food processing and transportation industries. G&G will relocate and expand its current manufacturing and corporate headquarters to the Town of Malta. The project includes building rehabilitation and construction and the purchase of new machinery and equipment, which will enhance G&G’s manufacturing capability and create new jobs through an increase in on-site production and storage capacity. It will also create space for additional research and development facilities and new manufacturing equipment.

Machinery and equipment for mobile waste disposal systems manufacturer

Enercon Systems is a manufacturer of sustainable climate-friendly technologies that solve real environmental problems, as well as R&D prototypes that take waste and transform it into energy. Its mobile waste disposal systems are typically used in remote locations where traditional systems/infrastructure are not available. Enercon, currently headquartered in Ohio, will renovate and purchase machinery and equipment to establish New York operations in a vacant building located on a gateway corridor to the City of Batavia.