Nearly 1,000 industry partners, government officials and Viega personnel gathered on Tuesday, April 21, for the official grand opening of Viega’s 439,000 sq.ft. manufacturing and distribution center in McPherson, KS.
“Today, we unlock, here in McPherson, another door to the future,” said Viega co-owner Walter Viegener.
Viega CEO, Dan Schmierer, welcomed guests. “This facility represents Viega’s commitment to the plumbing and heating industry” said Schmierer. While the housing market is not favorable now, Viega is confident the housing market will soon recover.
Joining CEO Dan Schmierer on stage were also Viega owners, Heinz-Bernd Viegener, Walter Viegener, and newly-elected McPherson Mayor Tom Brown. “We have three reasons to celebrate. Our 110-year global presence in Germany, our 10-years in North America and today’s grand opening,” said Viega co-owner Heinz-Bernd Viegener.
Viega GmbH & Co. KG (Viega), headquartered in Attendorn, Germany, has been providing plumbing and heating solutions to builders, contractors and wholesalers for 110 years. Viega is a family- owned business which employs 500 employees in North America and approximately 2,800 people world-wide. Approximately 210 of Viega’s North American employees work at the new facility in McPherson.
Presentations concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, plant tours and a Kansas BBQ lunch complete with 12 oz. ribeye steaks and a cake spanning 3 x 5 feet, which resembled the enormous facility.
The center spans 11-acres, which equates to nearly 10 football fields under one roof.
Equipped with extrusion and injection molding machines, logistics and office space, the new facility and the state-of-the art equipment it employs, will help streamline operations, improve efficiency and provide Viega employees the space to start developing new products. Soon, 22 states throughout the Midwest will receive all Viega products from this location.