SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Schenectady County officials joined with the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority today to announce that Kimpex, Inc. of Drummondville, Quebec, one of the leading providers of parts and accessories for recreational vehicles, has selected the Rotterdam Industrial Park in Schenectady County as the location for its new US operations and distribution center. Kimpex will create 50 new jobs in Schenectady County.
“We promised the residents of Schenectady County an aggressive economic development program and we are delivering on that promise,” said Susan Savage, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature.
“We are pleased to welcome Kimpex to Schenectady County and we hope that other Canadian firms will follow. Gone are the days when Schenectady sat on the economic development sidelines. Now we are proactively seeking new jobs and investment in our County,” Savage said.
Robert T. Farley, Minority Leader of the County Legislature said, “This is a very exciting announcement for our community. New Jobs in Schenectady County is the reason we created Metroplex. This is but another example of how, with its new leadership under Ray Gillen, Metroplex has been refocused to attract private employment.”
Kimpex is a leader in providing parts and accessories for all terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, motorcycles and marine products. The company has operations throughout Canada and in Champlain, New York. Kimpex has been active in the U.S. market since 1984.
In Rotterdam, the company plans a major effort to expand sales and service to its U.S. customers. Kimpex will lease 30,000 square feet with an option to expand an into an additional 10,000 square feet at Building 14, the former OGS Bakery and Warehouse at the Rotterdam Industrial Park.
“We considered many different locations in the Northeastern United States, but chose Schenectady County due to a strong push by County officials and Metroplex. From this location, we can service a huge share of the U.S. market within 24 hours,” said Daniel Chandonnet, Vice President of Operations at Kimpex, Inc.
Building 14 is located in the Schenectady Empire Zone. The company is eligible to apply for tax credits and other incentives under the Empire Zone program.
Rotterdam Supervisor John Paolino said “We are excited that Rotterdam is moving forward. We are getting the message out that this Town is a great place to live and work and the private sector is responding to our efforts.”
County Legislator Judith Dagostino said “Rotterdam extends a warm welcome to Kimpex and we look forward to many future job announcements as a result of the new proactive economic development effort we have put in place in Schenectady County.”
County Legislator Carolina Lazzari said “I am delighted to see the creation of 50 new private sector jobs that will add to Rotterdam and its future economic development.”
Ray Gillen, Chairman of Metroplex and Commissioner of Planning in Schenectady County said “we put on a full court press to land Kimpex. We have County, City and Town officials all working together to promote job growth and that will move Schenectady into the win column when it comes to economic development. We also appreciate the support that we received from the Galesi Group, owners of the Rotterdam Industrial Park, our full partners in attracting Kimpex to Schenectady County.”
Following renovations to Building 14, Kimpex plans to open the facility later this year. Schenectady County will work closely with company officials to recruit employees for the new operation by staging jobs Fairs and other job matching efforts.
Kimpex worked with Larkin Commercial Properties, Inc. of Albany on the site selection process.