Breaking Ground on Major Plant Expansion

Team 1 Plastics Breaks Ground on Major Plant Expansion

On Monday, July 14, Team 1 Plastics officially broke ground on a highly anticipated plant expansion project, marking a bold step forward in the company’s ongoing growth and commitment to its customers. The expansion will add 11,500 square feet to the facility—representing a 40% increase over the size of the current production and maintenance areas. The additional space is designed to enhance operational flow, support increased capacity, and position the company for continued growth.

PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE

“This expansion has been years in the making,” said Plant Manager Dave Sanford, who has been closely involved in the planning process. “Every time we thought it was the right time, something came up—COVID, economic slowdowns, capacity fluctuations. But now, we’re seeing real growth. If there was ever a time to expand, it’s now.”

The added square footage will support:

New molding machines
A designated packaging and materials area
Improved organization and flow on the production floor
Additional storage space for molds and auxiliary equipment

All of this is designed to help Team 1 continue serving customers at the highest level while preparing for increased demand and future opportunities.

STRATEGIC BENEFITS FOR CUSTOMERS

More than just increasing floor space, the expansion is a forward-thinking move to stay aligned with customer needs and industry trends. “This gives us the space to grow with our customers,” Sanford explained. “It speaks volumes about the investment we’re willing to make in our future—and in theirs. This isn’t a small expense. It shows we’re committed to staying in Albion and serving the industry for the long haul.”

While the company continues to quote new customers and grow its base, this expansion ensures Team 1 can accept more work in the 450-ton range, where demand is especially high.

CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE

Construction officially began on Monday, July 14,
with the following key phases:

Land clearing (3–4 weeks)
Foundation and floor pouring
Steel delivery and framing
Interior build-out
Final move-in (estimated November)
Ribbon-cutting

STAFFING & CAPABILITIES GROWTH

The expansion may open the door to new hiring opportunities in several roles, including: Production Associates, Material Handlers, Die Setters, and Maintenance Team Members.

While the new space won’t initially feature new technologies, internal teams are exploring time-saving upgrades to improve product movement and operational efficiency.

A LONG-AWAITED MILESTONE

For those involved in the planning process, the groundbreaking is especially meaningful. “We’ve been talking about space for years. We filled our existing footprint as tightly as we could before making this move,” Sanford said. “Now, being able to say ‘It’s a go’—that’s exciting.”

From early blueprints to years of planning meetings, the project has been built on patience, persistence, and confidence in Team 1’s future.

LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVE

President Craig Carrel and Vice President Gary Grigowski, co-owners of Team 1 Plastics, shared their thoughts on the importance of timing and strategy behind the decision to expand.

“We have cautiously approached our expansion and wanted to make sure we had the business to justify such a major investment. The first six months of this year have confirmed our strong sales growth. We now must expand to meet our future customer requirements.” Their comments reflect the company’s disciplined approach to long-term investment—balancing smart growth with customer-focused planning.

STAY TUNED: TEAM 1 EXPANSION SERIES ON YOUTUBE

To keep customers, Team Members, and the local community informed, Team 1 Plastics has launched a multi-part video series on its YouTube channel. Part 1 was posted last week and kicks off the series:

WATCH NOW: “Team 1 Plastics Expansion Series Part 1: Breaking Ground on the Future”

Each major milestone will be documented through a new video and a companion article here on our website. Between these updates, we’ll also share YouTube Shorts and social media photo updates every other Friday to keep everyone informed as the project progresses.