Brunner to expand in Orleans County

Brunner International near Medina is embarking on a multi-million dollar expansion project with support from Empire State Development (ESD) and the Orleans Economic Development Agency. The $10 million venture will include construction of a new 48,000-square foot building at Brunner's Bates Road site, and will create up to 35 new jobs and retain 363 jobs. Brunner, which is a leading international producer of components for heavy-duty truck and trailers, chose to expand its current operations in New York State rather than relocate to other out-of-state locations.

Senator George Maziarz said, “I salute Brunner’s leadership for making the decision to invest, expand, and create jobs at their current facility. This is a great example of how low-cost, locally produced hydropower can spur investment and strengthen our local economy.”

“We were successful in securing the Brunner International expansion in Medina due to outstanding collaboration with Empire State Development, the New York Power Authority and the Department of Environmental Conservation,” said Orleans County EDA CEO/CFO Jim Whipple. “The Town of Ridgeway and The Army Corp of Engineers have also been invaluable partners with the shared goal of working to move the permitting process forward. They understand the need to move expeditiously and made a strong commitment to accommodate Brunner's enterprising site development time line.”

Brunner International enjoys an exceptional reputation globally, which Brunner Vice President Brad MacDonald attributes to, "...the talent and work ethic of Brunner employees and the integrity they bring to the operation. We had more confidence in the strength of the talent base in Western New York, so the expansion of our Medina operations is the right choice for Brunner. Local and state officials additionally reinforced that the full scope of the expansion could be more effectively achieved in Orleans County versus other parts of the country.”

The Orleans County EDA mounted an aggressive campaign to secure the expansion project for Orleans County, despite strong interest from economic development agencies in other states. Fast-tracking the expanded operations plan is critical for Brunner to begin building and shipping products by early 2015 to meet its contractual obligations. Ultimately, Brunner decided on expanding the Medina facility after evaluating multiple sites out of state that would also accommodate Brunner's strategic partners.

Brunner qualified for up to $750,000 in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits from the state in return for its proposed investment and job creation commitments. The Orleans County Economic Development Agency is currently working on a local incentive package and permitting to meet the rapid expansion needs of Brunner.

Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams said, “A strong partnership between government and private industry is what led to the expansion of Brunner International in Medina. New York State’s record of successful manufacturing and technical innovation are two reasons why Brunner, as well as many other thriving businesses, are making the decision to expand their footprint in our state.”

Assemblyman Stephen Hawley said, “The expansion of the Brunner facility is great news for the Medina community. This means more jobs in the area for families who have been struggling through the recession. This plant has already been a positive for Medina and Orleans County, and now it will be an even greater asset. I look forward to seeing this expansion through to completion.”

Orleans County Legislative Chair David Callard said, “Brunner International is one of the premier employers in Orleans County and I am thrilled it will be expanding thanks to assistance from New York State and the Orleans Economic Development Agency. This is a quality project that will pay dividends by bringing good jobs and private investment into our county.”

Ridgeway Town Supervisor Brian Napoli added, “Brunner International is a long-admired corporate citizen. They understand one of our greatest assets is the work ethic of the people in Orleans County and we appreciate their on-going commitment to this region.”