CHEYENNE, WYO. —Grobet USA, an international manufacturer of precision equipment, instruments, supplies and tools, announced its plans to open a new facility in Cheyenne. The company, headquartered in Carlstadt, N.J., plans to build a 40,000 square-foot manufacturing plant on 10 acres in the Cheyenne Business Parkway. Grobet will initially employ up to 40 full-time people in Cheyenne.

"We selected Cheyenne because it provides Grobet with the business climate, expertise and surroundings that are conducive to our strategic growth," said John Canzoneri, president of Grobet USA. "We are very excited about the prospect of working with the people of Cheyenne and becoming an integral part of the business community."

Canzoneri added: "I am especially pleased with the support and professionalism extended to us by Cheyenne LEADS. Their efforts and ingenuity have identified attractive opportunities for a manufacturing company such as Grobet. Cheyenne LEADS has been a valuable partner in finalizing the details surrounding our expansion and have made us feel truly welcome."

"We at LEADS have been extremely interested in this company from the moment we learned about its interest in Cheyenne," said Randy Bruns, LEADS vice president. "We have worked closely with Grobet for the past year-and-a-half because it is exactly the kind of company we want here."

Bruns said that Grobet will add to Cheyenne’s manufacturing base, thus further diversifying the economy while the company’s overseas affiliations will bring additional international elements to Cheyenne’s business community.

Grobet USA manufactures and markets precision, high-tech tools, supplies and equipment through six major divisions. The company currently has facilities in New Jersey, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Georgia, Switzerland, Canada and Dominican Republic. For 130 years, Grobet has produced tools for jewelry making, clock and watch repair, industrial metalworking, dental and optical laboratories, hobbyists and model makers. It is the largest manufacturer and distributor of jewelry tools worldwide and a leading supplier to the industrial market.

The company will begin its expansion by utilizing temporary space to begin limited production before the new facility is completed and during the transition.

"I fully expect to see Grobet’s presence here to grow," said Bruns. "Ultimately the advantages of doing business in Wyoming are going to enable this company to expand, just as they have for SafeCard, Sierra Trading Post, Nortrak, EchoStar, Puma Steel, Truss Craft and the other companies with which LEADS has worked."

"Grobet has been successful in marketing premier products through the efforts of its highly skilled employees," said Gil Evans, vice president of Manufacturing at Grobet. "Our commitment to invest in the growth of our employees has been a key strategic objective to assure company growth and product enhancements. We believe that Cheyenne provides the dedicated employee base needed to continue our expansion through the efforts of our employees."

In June 1999, company representatives first contacted the Wyoming Business Council (WBC) about a possible expansion to Cheyenne. WBC representatives immediately arranged the first meeting between the company and Cheyenne LEADS. Putting theory to practice for the first time, the Wyoming Business Council and Cheyenne LEADS had the opportunity to work together in the recruitment exercise from the beginning.

According to Tucker Fagan, Business Council CEO, Jack Crews and Bruns did "an outstanding job putting together the proposal for Grobet. Their expertise was critical to the success recruiting this professionally run company that promises to be a great addition to the Business Parkway."

"This is an excellent example of the value the Business Council brings to the state," said Bruns, "and the effective working relationship among the state and local economic development agencies."

The Wyoming Business Council is the state organization responsible for working with city, county and local economic development efforts to expand and retain existing businesses and recruit new ones to the state.

Cheyenne LEADS, a not-for-profit corporation, is the Cheyenne-Laramie County Corporation for Economic Development.