Kommerling marks 10 years by expanding

Thursday, August 31, 2006

By BRIAN LAWSON

Times Business Writer brian.lawson@htimes.com

PVC sheet maker doubles its work force in Huntsville

Kommerling USA Inc. Wednesday celebrated 10 years in Huntsville, highlighted by a tour of its newly expanded plant.

Germany-based Kommerling makes PVC sheets for residential and commercial exterior trim products as well as material for outdoor signs.

The company has employed about 60 people in recent years, but its new 100,000-square-foot facility has led to a doubling of the work force and a decision to produce trim board in the U.S.

Harald Unterieser, vice president and general manager of Kommerling USA Inc., said up to now the company has made the sheets in Germany, transported them by ship to the U.S. and cut and converted them for delivery in Huntsville.

"We saw it was necessary to produce it here for the domestic market," Unterieser said Wednesday before a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the plant. "It takes eight weeks to get it here from Germany."

Unterieser said the German firm's decision to manufacture in the U.S. was aided by training provided by the Alabama Industrial Training Development program, which ensured workers were trained in the skills the company needed.

Steve Finnell, industrial development director for the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County, said it was very satisfying seeing Kommerling grow from an operation with six people locally to 120 employees today.

"The AIDT program is probably one of the best incentives the state has to offer," Finnell said. "It allows a company to open up and immediately begin production. You can hardly measure how valuable that is."

Kommerling featured its "better than wood" KOMA wood trim products Wednesday, which will now be made in Huntsville.

Patrick Shabal, the company's national sales and marketing manager, said the PVC trim products have only been in existence for about six years and that Kommerling is the second-leading vendor.

"It's more durable, it allows paint to adhere better and the process means less maintenance," Shabal said. "It's a $170 million to $200 million market today, but the wood market is worth billions.

"We're competing against wood and there is a definite price premium with this product."

The company plans to operate the new facility at about 50 percent capacity and with additional equipment from Germany plans to expand to 100 percent capacity next year.



Kommerling marks 10 years by expanding Thursday, August 31, 2006 By BRIAN LAWSON Times Business Writer brian.lawson@htimes.com PVC sheet maker doubles its work force in Huntsville Kommerling USA Inc. Wednesday celebrated 10 years in Huntsville, highlighted by a tour of its newly expanded plant. Germany-based Kommerling makes PVC sheets for residential and commercial exterior trim products as well as material for outdoor signs. The company has employed about 60 people in recent years, but its new 100,000-square-foot facility has led to a doubling of the work force and a decision to produce trim board in the U.S. Harald Unterieser, vice president and general manager of Kommerling USA Inc., said up to now the company has made the sheets in Germany, transported them by ship to the U.S. and cut and converted them for delivery in Huntsville. "We saw it was necessary to produce it here for the domestic market," Unterieser said Wednesday before a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the plant. "It takes eight weeks to get it here from Germany." Unterieser said the German firm's decision to manufacture in the U.S. was aided by training provided by the Alabama Industrial Training Development program, which ensured workers were trained in the skills the company needed. Steve Finnell, industrial development director for the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County, said it was very satisfying seeing Kommerling grow from an operation with six people locally to 120 employees today. "The AIDT program is probably one of the best incentives the state has to offer," Finnell said. "It allows a company to open up and immediately begin production. You can hardly measure how valuable that is." Kommerling featured its "better than wood" KOMA wood trim products Wednesday, which will now be made in Huntsville. Patrick Shabal, the company's national sales and marketing manager, said the PVC trim products have only been in existence for about six years and that Kommerling is the second-leading vendor. "It's more durable, it allows paint to adhere better and the process means less maintenance," Shabal said. "It's a $170 million to $200 million market today, but the wood market is worth billions. "We're competing against wood and there is a definite price premium with this product." The company plans to operate the new facility at about 50 percent capacity and with additional equipment from Germany plans to expand to 100 percent capacity next year. © 2006 The Huntsville Times © 2006 al.com All Rights Reserved.