Although work has been under way for the last few weeks, an official groundbreaking ceremony for Rotek Inc.'s $82 million expansion project is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. today (July 23).

The groundbreaking will be at 1400 S. Chillicothe Road, and will feature comments from Oho Gov. Ted Strickland, Aurora Mayor Lynn McGill and Rotek President Leonard F. Osborne.

Rotek Inc. designs, develops and manufactures large diameter slewing ring bearings. Its local expansion is expected to create up to 150 new jobs, boosting employment locally to 365.

"The planned expansion is an integral part of the company's growth strategy," said Osborne when the expansion was announced in late May.

"This significant investment represents our continued commitment to provide the highest quality products and customer service possible."

The investment is the largest made since Rotek's founding in 1962. Rotek is a subsidiary of Rothe Erde based in Dortmund, Germany, which is part of ThyssenKrupp Technologies Group.

The investment includes a second ring mill at the Aurora facility to make seamless rolled rings with diameters of up to 280 inches and weights of 17 tons.

According to the firm, the new SMS Meer RAW 400/400/6000 ring mill will be the most modern facility of its kind in the United Sates.

WORK ON the new facility began at the end of May, and the plant is expected to begin production in the first quarter of 2010.

Large-diameter slewing ring production at the Aurora site also will be further expanded with addition of a 116,000-square-foot manufacturing plant housing the latest in production machinery and tooling.

"Rotek is developing and manufacturing components for several high-growth industries, including wind energy, where Ohio has become a national leader with a strong competitive advantage," Strickland said previously.

"We welcome Rotek's growth and the 150 new jobs in Aurora. Combined with its work in the medical and construction industries, and the military, Rotek is an outstanding partner to the city and state."

ThyssenKrupp Rotek received funds from the state's Department of Development for job creation and training, and machinery and equipment purchases.

In addition, the city offered the company property tax abatement and funds for road infrastructure improvements, including the widening of Route 43 in front of the plant.

The hiring process for the new positions is expected to begin this fall, Rotek said.

ThyssenKrupp Technologies has annual sales of $15.3 billion and 55,000 employees worldwide. In the U.S. the firm has more than 400 locations employing 24,000 people.

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