Door Manufacturer Expanding in Erie County

Empire State Development (ESD) announced today that Whiting Door, a manufacturing company that supplies roll-up and swing doors for the transportation industry, will undergo a $4 million expansion at its Akron facility. The project, located in Akron, NY will support at least 25 new jobs in the state-of-the-art manufacturing space. 

“Whiting Door, a community-dedicated company doing business across the globe, is one of the top performers of Western New York’s manufacturing economy,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight. “With a highly skilled workforce and plans for a new state-of-the-art facility, the company is in an excellent position to create more jobs and products, and to grow the regional economy."

The family-owned-and-managed company has operated in Western New York for more than 70 years, with additional facilities in California and partners in over 14 countries covering the globe. Whiting developed the first practical overhead roll-up door for trucks and trailers in 1953. Today, Whiting remains the world's leading designer and supplier in the industry with a full line of dry freight, insulated and specialty roll-up doors, swing doors. Whiting also produces custom laminated panels for marine, rail and industrial applications. The company is known for its custom engineered products and remains the only ISO Certified company in the roll-up door industry. 

Whiting was recently engaged to manufacture lightweight doors that supports a large contract to produce up to 150,000 zero-emission and low-emission internal combustion engine delivery vehicles over the next 10 years. Whiting’s expansion project supports the facility, state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment and warehousing space needed, and will be built by 2025 to support full-volume production.  

Ben Whiting, Vice President at Whiting Door Manufacturing said, “It is exciting to move toward production after a seven-year design, development and bid process. Our engineering and production teams were instrumental in bringing this from concept to reality.  We evaluated several options to support the project from different geographies, but ESD helped close the gap, allowing us to build at home.”

ESD is incentivizing Whiting Door to continue to grow in Erie County by providing up to $500,000 in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits in exchange for job creation commitments.  Additionally, the New York Power Authority Board of Trustees will review an application for a $595,000 funding award through its Western New York Power Proceeds Fund for the firm at its upcoming meeting on Tuesday, December 11. If approved, the award will further support the company’s expansion and job creation.

Senator Patrick Gallivan said, “I congratulate Whiting Door on the expansion of its Akron facility and wish them continued success. This exciting project supports the company’s existing workforce, creates new jobs, and helps build the local economy. Whiting’s commitment to Western New York and its partnership with Empire State Development sends a positive message about our community and our region.”

About Empire State Development  

Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency. The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing the New York State Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of “I LOVE NY,” the State’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, please visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.