ML Fab Company locates in Moses Lake

Adds 30 jobs to area

MOSES LAKE — A new company moving into the old Pistoresi Distributing building in Moses Lake plans on hiring roughly 30 employees to manufacture building skins.

ML Fab Company, LLC, an affiliate of Advanced Glazing Systems, LLC designs and manufactures curtain walls, which are the glass facades of buildings. Manager Glenn Allen describes the company's role as one of putting the skin on the buildings.

Allen said the company chose Moses Lake as the location of the fabrication facility to increase efficiency, stabilize shipping and enjoy the business friendly climate in Moses Lake.

"In Seattle, it's just about maxed out in terms of capacity," he said about finding property. "When we found out that Grant Count was so pro-development, it seemed there were a lot of benefits to be gained by coming here."

ML Fab Company increases efficiency by moving to another location in Washington rather than north to Canada and allows for more predictable shipments because trucks don't cross the border. A truck could be stopped for inspection in Canada and be delayed for an unknown amount of time.

Allen said not worrying about such delays is comforting because ML Fab Company's customers prefer to receive delivery of products at a specific time to meet construction needs.

The success of Genie's move to Moses Lake encouraged the company to strive for that success.

ML Fab Company is projecting to be running in limited capability by April and at full steam in May within the 30,000 square-foot-building on Hamilton Road, according to Allen. The company is committing more than $2 million toward equipment and upgrades for the facility to begin manufacturing.

Allen said the facility will be busy making curtain walls for two 38-story building projects under way in Seattle, one of which, the 8th and Olive building, is to be the tallest residential building in the city.

"It's going to be spectacular," Allen said proudly.

For the two projects, workers will construct more than 7,500 curtain wall units which are sent by truck to Seattle for installation.

The company has two more projects in early stages with bookings extending three years ahead.

ML Fab Company is looking to hire 30 workers when reaching full manufacturing capacity, said Allen. New employees will be trained specifically for the process of constructing curtain walls, but Allen said anyone with a background in carpentry, metalwork or engineering would be a good job candidate.

Allen is interested in building relations with local suppliers of materials like sheet metal and steel parts necessary for the company's projects.

"If we are going to be in Moses Lake, we've got to be good corporate citizens. That's just the way we work," he said.

For more information on employment, call 425-867-1032.