PRAB expands manufacturing operations in Kalamazoo, Michigan

PRAB Inc., designer and manufacturer of equipment and systems for processing metal scrap and spent fluids and treating oily wastewater for recycle and reuse, is growing its manufacturing campus in Kalamazoo, MI. PRAB, Inc. a KMC Global Company, purchased existing manufacturing space and warehouse buildings across the street from the company’s current location.

The additional space adds manufacturing capacity to 159,000 sq ft. The purchase of the new building also allows the sales and engineering teams from all company divisions to operate under a single roof. PRAB Fluid Filtration and Wastewater treatment divisions will combine in building 2 with the team from Chip Systems, and Conveyors for Die Cast and Stamping. The original plant location, known as Building 1, will house some final assembly, and shipping along with KMC Global corporate functions. The third campus building is currently being renovated to house the expansion of the company’s controls division.

Randy McBroom, PRAB Vice President- Manufacturing said, “Expanding our manufacturing and office space capacity solidifies our commitment to U.S. jobs in the state of Michigan and helps us improve work flow and bring some outsourced functions in house. This expansion allows us to meet the needs of our customers today and provides room for growth.”

PRAB has seen an increased demand for its custom scrap metal and fluid filtration equipment due to the changing operating dynamics in major metalworking industries such as: aerospace, automotive, defense, construction equipment, and off-road vehicle. For many years metalworking companies had long runs of the same part and the same material. Changeovers were measured in years and changes in material types where measured in multiple years. This model has shifted and the metalworking industry is adjusting to the changes by supporting smaller parts runs, more frequent changes in design and material type, formula changes in steel and aluminum, and the addition of hard-to-machine alloys such as Titanium.

The PRAB manufacturing campus is located near I-94. Hapman, a sister company within the KMC Global family, is also co-located on the campus.