Synthetic lubricant producer Ultrachem Inc. has announced an expansion that will double the size of its New Castle, Del., operation next year.
The company said it is adding staging space, laboratory facilities and additional blending equipment to accommodate sales growth, largely from overseas.
We recently signed on a number of distributors in Asia and South America, President Robert Whiting said. Beyond that, I think our growth has just been the result of more people finding out about us.
The expansion was planned as a two-stage project. The first, scheduled to be completed by next summer, will add 25,000 square feet for an indoor bulk storage tank farm, larger mixing kettles, more lab space and additional loading docks. Whiting said more staging area is an important part of the expansion because production is currently limited by a lack of space to keep products awaiting delivery. The second phase will add 20,000 square feet but it has not been scheduled.
Ultrachem was founded in 1965 and moved to New Castle in 1996. It employs 14 people and makes synthetic industrial lubes, primarily air compressor and gear oils.