Universal Fabricating to expand in Lamar County creating over 100 jobs
March 13, 2023
Canadian-based metal fabrication company, Universal Fabrication has purchased former Delco trailer manufacturing near Sumner.
Universal Fabricating is one of Canada’s premier metal fabricators with plans to begin operations this year in the production of products to serve the greenhouse, automotive, airport and logistics markets in the United States and Mexico. Plans for the Sumner plant will potentially provide 100 high-paying jobs and an investment in excess of $16 million for Lamar County.
“We are thrilled to be joining the Paris community and to be creating meaningful jobs for the people of Lamar County and surrounding areas,” Universal president Neil Harms said. “We hope that our innovative approach to fabrication will bring skilled trade jobs and build long-lasting careers for the people of this great community.”
The move to locate the first foreign-owned manufacturing plant in Lamar County has been in the works for more than a year with assistance from the Paris Economic Development Corp.
“We are honored to join Neil and Universal in this project announcement,” PEDC executive director Maureen Hammond said. “This project has been in the works for well over a year and was a collaborative effort between the PEDC and the Lamar County Commissioners’ Court. Universal’s investment will have a tremendous impact on the local economy with 100 new high-wage jobs, bringing an estimated annual payroll of $6 million and a total projected economic impact of $300 million over the next 10 years.”
Renovations have already begun on the facility. “The facility will be completely renovated from top to bottom, including all new energy efficient paneling on the exterior, painting of all interior columns and a complete renovation of employee facilities and washrooms,” Harms said.
PEDC chairman Josh Bray expressed excitement.
“We are excited to welcome Universal to Lamar County,” Bray said. “Their proven execution of investing in state-of-the-art equipment, modernized facilities and an exceptional workplace culture all align with the Paris EDC’s vision to recruit and retain quality jobs. Universal’s planned investment and highly technical positions, estimated at an annual average wage of $60,000, will positively impact the families of Paris and Lamar County for years to come.”