A company that specializes in converting low-voltage direct current into high-voltage direct current is now converting a 5,000-square-foot suite in Johnson Lane into a steady current of design and manufacturing.
Based in Sutter Creek, Calif., EMCO High Voltage Corporation, a leading producer of high-voltage power supplies, is not relocating to Minden but rather expanding their California operation to the new facility at 2436 Precision Drive. In the process, the company is charging the local economy with upwards of 20 jobs.
New product lines and production processes will be developed and incubated at EMCO's Sutter Creek headquarters and then transferred to Minden for full production. The Minden facility will focus on expanding EMCO's product portfolio into new market segments.
"Minden represents an excellent combination of accessibility, skilled labor force and an attractive cost structure," EMCO President and CEO Mike Doherty said in a press release. "EMCO strives to provide the best value to our customers, and this expansion will further our ability to offer leading-edge products at attractive prices."
Barbara Havens, an engineering graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, will head up manufacturing.
"Barbara is indicative of the quality of people in the Minden area upon whom EMCO intends to build this remote operation," Doherty said.
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bill Chernock said EMCO is another entry in the long list of small manufacturers that have made Carson Valley home.
"It's pretty obvious we're going to be more successful bringing in smaller operations like this, which have 10, 20, 30 employees," he said. "These types of operations fit the character of Carson Valley and the facilities we have, and they fit well with the quality of place we offer."
Douglas County Manager T. Michael Brown presented EMCO officials with a gift basket filled with items made from local companies.
"I know we need it, need the jobs in the community," Brown said.
Doherty said the decision to expand came four months ago when checking out some industrial facilities in the area.
"One of the best times to expand a business is in a recession because there's a lot less competition for resources," he said. "There's a lot of room for expansion here."
Doherty said EMCO products typically become part of larger equipment systems. For example, he said the company's products are used in the equipment that makes the flash memory piece for the iPhone.
"We're a green company; there are no hazardous materials," Doherty said. "We're ready to start producing a finished product."
For more information, visit www.emcohighvoltage.com.
The company's expansion was brokered by Chad Coons, president of Gillmor Coons Real Estate Group based in Genoa, and member of the Northern Nevada Development Authority's Commercial Real Estate and Development committee.
