Tampa-based Acoustiblok, Inc., is expanding its facility in South Tampa, Florida, near MacDill Air Force Base, to keep up with the growing demand for its products. First phase plans include enlarging its manufacturing facility from 30,000 sq. ft. to 45,000 sq. ft.

A second phase, set for early this summer, will double its current office space. Hiring projections are also good with plans to increase warehouse and sales staff in the coming months, the company said.

Acoustiblok material is a thin 1/8 inch flexible membrane that increases the sound attenuation properties of conventional wall and floor/ceiling designs in residential and commercial structures. Demand for soundproofing products has been steadily rising as noise pollution has become so prevalent in today’s world, company officials said.

“The need is tremendous,” Lahnie Johnson, President/Founder, said. “Our business has continued to grow every year even with the recession,” he said.

“Selling soundproofing products is most certainly not like an off the shelf item. Each problem tends to be unique. Understanding the principles of acoustics and knowledge of the surrounding construction and or machinery is necessary. Although our engineering department takes advantage of the state-of-the-art acoustical prediction software for indoor and outdoor noise prediction mapping, having years of experience can make a night and day difference in the outcome,” Johnson said.

Johnson said he believes the US needs to get back to manufacturing real products. “America cannot exist as the economic power if it has been continually increasing its service industry rather than actually manufacturing a worthy product someone has need of. We should not forget that it was the Industrial Revolution and manufacturing that made America the strongest economy in the world. All of our products are made in the USA with all US materials,” Johnson said.