Swagelok

Swagelok prides itself on pushing the boundaries for its customers, always looking for ways to improve products and services. But the world-leading developer and provider of fluid system products, assemblies, services and training recently found that its headquarters, based in Northeast Ohio needed an update. Founded in 1947 in Cleveland, Swagelok Company moved its headquarters to Solon in 1965 and has since grown to serve customers in 70 countries and operate 20 manufacturing facilities and five global technology centers.

With the bulk of Swagelok’s business operations centered in Northeast Ohio, its Solon headquarters was becoming outdated and company leaders were in search of a new facility to provide a world-class campus that demonstrates Swagelok’s position as an industry-leader. Swagelok representatives indicated the company would benefit from keeping the new headquarters close to its current Northeast Ohio operations, but they also suggested that leadership was willing to consider locations outside the current footprint if they met the criteria to create a sustainable headquarters site.

In May 2018, Swagelok announced plans to make a $152 million capital investment in the region, including increases in manufacturing capacity, a global headquarters and state-of-the-art innovation center that would allow it to keep up with future growth plans and solve business challenges its global customers face. The announcement kicked off a three-month competitive site search process that garnered numerous proposals from municipalities inside and outside of Ohio.

The city of Solon’s proposal, which included a job creation tax credit and a grant from JobsOhio, helped Solon land what’s being considered one of the city’s biggest deals in its history. Swagelok announced in September 2018 that it would build the new facility in Solon at the location of its current headquarters. In addition to providing 120,000 square feet of new space, the $30 to $50 million project is also expected to support adding 1,000 jobs within the company in the region over the next several years.

"We are thrilled with the decision to remain in Solon and continue our partnership with the city that has been instrumental in our company's growth," said Swagelok Chairman and CEO Arthur F. Anton in the press release announcing the deal. “We offer deep thanks to city of Solon officials, especially Mayor Edward Kraus, and the JobsOhio team for their support and commitment to Swagelok. Their partnerships enable us to leverage our manufacturing infrastructure and existing investments in the area, while creating a world-class, technologically advanced manufacturing facility that will support our position as an industry leader and inspire the innovation, productivity, problem solving and collaboration essential for the next phase of our company’s success story.”

Swagelok expects to begin construction of the new campus in 2019 and complete the project by the end of 2020. As part of the deal, Solon has also agreed to invest $3 million in infrastructure enhancements to accommodate the new facility. Swagelok’s furthered commitment to the city of Solon cements its position as a top employer and economic driver in the region.

While Swagelok continues to be a global leader in fluid system products and services for the oil and gas, chemical and petrochemical, semiconductor, transportation and power industries, Ohio’s municipalities like Solon continue to provide competitive incentives to attract and retain employers that help to power the world.