Canadian-based aluminum manufacturer APEL Extrusion will expand its Lane County operations center in Coburg, Oregon. The Canadian aluminum extruder is the first manufacturer to move into a portion of the former Monaco Coach manufacturing complex, with plans to add up to 30 employees to its 50 member workforce during the next two years.

The company will spend $12 million to move its Springfield operations and then renovate and equip the 112,000-square-foot building at the Coburg North industrial site by July 2014. The company chose to move and expand in Coburg rather than move its operations outside the state.

"We are delighted in the support and assistance provided to us by both the state of Oregon and the people of Lane County," company President Mike Flynn said. "This support and the outstanding local workforce were instrumental in our decision to maintain and to grow our business in Oregon. Ultimately, our decision will result in APEL investing an additional $12 million dollars in the state and adding 25 good paying jobs to our current workforce of 50—thank you Oregon!"

"Keeping a growing advanced manufacturer such as APEL here in Oregon means more high paying jobs for Lane County residents," said Business Oregon Director Tim McCabe. "APEL's decision to stay in Lane County and invest in Coburg is further proof of Oregon's global competitiveness especially when it comes to manufacturing."

Officials from Business Oregon and Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber's office presented a $100,000 forgivable loan check today from the Governor's Strategic Reserve Fund to company officials. As a condition of the state incentive, the company agreed to create 25 new jobs and retain an existing 50 jobs over a two-year period.

Lane County also provided the company with $100,000 in economic development assistance for the expansion project. Both the state and local assistance will help finance the company's purchase of a new $7 million hydraulic aluminum press. The company currently operates two aluminum extrusion presses at its Calgary, Alberta, plant and one press at its Springfield plant.