Global Polymer Industries, Inc. to move operations to Madison

Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2012

MADISON, S.D. – Global Polymer Industries, Inc. announced today they will be moving their manufacturing plant to Madison. The company currently employs 125 people and is expected to add an additional 50 jobs within the first two years of operating in Madison.

Global Polymer was founded in 1993 by co-owners Todd Huntimer and Dan Palli. From its beginning, Global Polymer made products for some of the world's largest equipment manufacturers. They specialize in Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene. UHMW-PE is a polyethylene with a molecular weight of 4.5 – 6 million. It is this high molecular weight that gives UHMW-PE its unsurpassed combination of slickness, toughness and chemical resistance. Global Polymer uses 100 % virgin UHMW-PE in every product manufactured.

“Global Polymer is a strong, well-established company that comes with a solid reputation and immediate plans for adding jobs,” according to Lake Area Improvement Corporation Executive Director Julie Gross. “The LAIC board and I are ecstatic we could help put all the pieces in place in order for Global Polymer to make the transition to Madison.”

Plans to build a 60,000 square foot facility in the Lakeview Industrial Park are underway.

“We are very excited about moving to Madison,” stated Huntimer. “Our business has been growing steadily since its foundation and Madison will provide all the amenities we need as we continue to grow.”

Global Polymer expanded their production capacity to include three of the world's largest agriculture implement equipment manufacturers, the largest water treatment equipment manufacturer in the Americas, the western hemisphere’s largest truck and trailer suspension manufacturer, every major railroad and rail car manufacturer in North and Central America and several material handling equipment manufacturers, to name a few.

“Teamwork between the LAIC board, city and county officials as well as Heartland Consumers Power District is what made this become a reality,” said Gross. “I can’t thank them enough for their assistance throughout this process. We worked together to show Todd and Dan how relocating to Madison would be a positive move for them. They are excellent business owners and we couldn’t be more pleased with their decision.”

Heartland Consumers Power District provides wholesale power to the city of Madison.

According to Russell Olson, Heartland’s manager of community and economic development, “Heartland’s number one goal is to provide reliable power and excellent customer service. Our economic development programs are vital to many of the communities we serve and we are thrilled to be able to help the community of Madison.”

“We are grateful to Heartland for their programs and assistance and to everyone in Madison for helping us throughout this process,” said Palli. “We look forward to continuing that strong working relationship once our transition is complete and to the opportunities being located in Madison will afford our company.”

Mayor Gene Hexom stated, “This is extremely good news for Madison, we welcome Global Polymer and look forward to cooperating in any way we can to make their relocation to the Lakeview Industrial Park as smooth as possible. We are thrilled with the news they have chosen Madison’s Lakeview Industrial Park as their new home.”

Mark Stoller, LAIC Board President, stated, “Global Polymer will have an enormous economic impact on Madison and the area. On behalf of the LAIC board, the city of Madison and Lake County, we welcome them to Madison.”

Information Provided By: Lake Area Improvement Corporation Executive Director, (605) 256-0797 julie@madisonworks.com