Village Board Approves Unico Expansion Plans

Unico will move forward with its plan to add a 65,232-square-foot addition and add 175 jobs.

Officials with , Inc. presented plans Wednesday to the Plan Commission for an addition to their existing industrial building, which then went to the Village Board for the final site plan review at their meeting Tuesday. The Village Board unanimously approved the plan.

Regal Beloit owns Unico, 3725 Nicholson Rd., and currently employs 196 people at the Caledonia plant. An additional 175 jobs over the next three years are expected to come on line with the addition. The company develops and manufactures drive systems.

“Upon review of this, it appears to be allowed by the current industrial zoning,” said Caledonia Zoning Administrator Jarmen Czuta. “The proposed addition to the industrial building will also give Unico Incorporated the opportunity to better serve its customers.”

Barry Bebart, project manager with CBRE, explained that there is little space left in the existing building.

“We expect to break ground by October, then start the renovation of the current building by June or July 2013,” Bebart said.

The expansion follows increased demand for Unico's products, which are used in the oil and gas industry and automotive markets.

“We’ve got new products that are serving multiple markets,” said Jim Cotton, CFO of Unico.

Officials expect the jobs to be product and system assembly, and engineering positions, with an average wage of about $17 per hour.