VIKING GROUP ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR NEW HEADQUARTERS AND R&D CENTER
As part of an overall strategy for its sustained and long-term growth, fire protection product manufacturer and distributor Viking Group, Inc. announced plans today to build a new facility in Caledonia Township, situated between the company’s existing facilities in Hastings and Grand Rapids. Slated for completion in early 2019, the new headquarters will feature a modern, professional work environment designed to promote creativity, innovation and collaboration, and will also include an expanded, state-of-the-art research and development center. To watch the official announcement and to hear more about this exciting project, click here.
The expansion of our West Michigan footprint is an investment not only in the communities we are proud to call home, but in our employees, who are the key to our continued success,” said Viking Group President and CEO James Golinveaux. “The new facility will free up space in our Hastings location, which will continue to house manufacturing operations, and will be conducive to the future expansion of our manufacturing footprint.
The yet-to-be-finalized site, located near M-6 and M-37 in Caledonia, will provide a significant upgrade to Viking Group’s R&D infrastructure, including cutting-edge design, engineering and testing capabilities, paving the way for future product innovation. Additionally, the new building will feature a high-tech training facility to support the organization’s goal of becoming the recognized leader in fire protection training.
Viking Group expects nearly 100 people will move from its Grand Rapids and Hastings offices into the Caledonia location once the new building is completed. To accommodate anticipated future growth, the company also expects to add at least 50 new jobs in the next few years to support its expanding business both in the U.S. and internationally. Viking’s commercial and residential products, including industry leading fire sprinklers, valves and fire protection devices, are currently sold in more than 90 countries.
As our organization and industry continue to grow, and we develop more sophisticated technology to precisely detect and suppress fires, it’s crucial that our manufacturing capacity keeps pace,” Golinveaux added. “Viking Group considers West Michigan the ideal region to support our future expansion and to attract and retain world-class talent, and this investment is a demonstration of that belief.