United Grinding Closing Virginia Facility, Consolidating in Ohio

United Grinding North America Inc. will be closing its operations in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and move to Miamisburg, Ohio. The move, scheduled to take place July 1, 2017, is cast as a strategic decision to promote continued growth in North America.

“We pay very close attention to the voice of our customers, and they’ve expressed a need for a faster response time and complete turnkey, life-cycle solutions. With all our operations under one roof, we will streamline our services and enhance the United Grinding business experience for our customers,” says Theodore Neckel, director of corporate marketing.

Currently, the company has two locations: its headquarters in Miamisburg, Ohio, and the other in Fredericksburg, Virginia. While the Ohio facility houses surface, cylindrical and profile grinding business units, the Virginia facility serves the tool and cutter grinding machines and measurement systems sectors. Field service representatives are based out of both locations.

The company’s North American market is said to have grown substantially over the last 15 years, and the strategic outlook for the foreseeable future encompasses more growth, including the construction of a new headquarters in Miamisburg. Many of Fredericksburg-based staff will relocate to Ohio, work from home offices or be deployed geographically closer to customers.

According to Stephan Nell, CEO of United Grinding Group AG, the decision to build a new facility that houses both Fredericksburg and Miamisburg locations was easy. “Our customers will see enhanced customer-centric activities, but also a boost in operational agility. We will expand parts, rebuild and retrofit, automation, and preventive maintenance offerings in the North American market.”

The planned 110,000-square-foot facility will reside on approximately 15 acres of land near Ohio Interstate 75 and the expanding Austin Landing area of Miamisburg. It is scheduled for completion September 1, 2017.

During the interim, the current Miamisburg location will house all office employees. In addition to United Grinding’s current 100 employees that will move to the new headquarters, the company plans to open up 40 more jobs in the next five years.