The fast-paced schedule for the 130,000 s.f. manufacturing area allowed for only 12 weeks for completion, followed by the office area 5 weeks later.
The 130,000 square-foot state-of-the-art manufacturing building will serve as the company’s corporate headquarters for making the sockets and ratchets portion of the product line that includes wrenches and hammers, as well as other tools used by professionals in the industrial and automotive markets. The schedule was extremely fast paced with the facility being completed in just twelve weeks. The timely response from the City of Sycamore and DeKalb County authorities was instrumental in getting the project mobilized so quickly. IDEAL acquired the bankrupt SK Hand Tool in late August 2010 and needed to be operational as soon as possible in order to regain the confidence of customers.
The design incorporates a thickened and reinforced slab and special foundations for the manufacturing equipment as well as a “just in time” process layout for a more efficient and productive line. Additional features include multiple overhead cranes and a large display showroom that will accommodate a sales truck to be driven in for equipment demonstrations.
SK Hand Tool is one of America’s leading manufacturers of tools for the professional mechanic. The Company expects to hire 35-40 employees initially and increased employment is anticipated as the operation becomes established.
