Serapid Inc. announces its move to a new, larger facility this February. The manufacturer of award winning products based on its exclusive rigid chain product has experienced a steady and continued growth, particularly in the last decade, prompting the need for physical expansion.

Serapid was founded by engineer and businessman Said Lounis, opening its first U.S. office in 1991. Starting as a linear motion device supplier to the automotive industry, the company soon branched out into other markets. Serapid developed motion systems for diverse industries such as metrology, aerospace, medical equipment and stage technology. Among the most public and best known projects are the stage lifts for the spectacular Beijing opening ceremonies and the popular Skydeck at Willis (formerly Sears) Tower in Chicago. More recently, Serapid has developed new products based on its telescoping mast, such as a containerized defense system for the military, and for the entertainment industry, a portable mast for lifting lights and cameras, all while continuing to provide the newest motion technology for heavy industry.

Serapid management felt a commitment to continue to invest in Macomb County, a community just outside of Detroit, Michigan. The company sought out an existing manufacturing building with rehabilitation potential, eventually selecting a vacant but sound structure in the Mound Road industrial corridor. Built in 1970, the structure needed renovations both inside and out, but would provide an increase in space of 18,000 sq. ft, allowing Serapid to build a sales showroom as well as a research and development lab. The manufacturing area was restored to a near pristine state, providing a bright, modern work area, more in keeping with the technology being produced.

Serapid used local businesses and workers for the renovation, sourcing materials such as lighting and doors from Michigan manufacturers. Special emphasis was given to environmental concerns, using clean building materials and practices, such as low E lighting for indoors, high efficiency LED lighting for outdoors,  recycled fixtures and lamps, a high efficiency HVAC system, low volatile organic compound (VOC) ceiling tiles and a white EPDM roof. The campus itself sits on 4 acres; site plans were designed to minimize pavement, keeping grassy areas and existing trees as much as possible.

“We all know how hard of a hit the US manufacturing sector took in recent times,” Dennis Lucas, VP of Serapid Inc. reflected, “Michigan, of course, being one of the hardest hit. The expansion of our U.S. facility speaks not only to the resilience of the manufacturing sector, but to the increasing optimism about the economy we’re seeing nationwide. We feel well poised to provide the new technology industry needs, and are looking forward to the growth this expansion will allow.”