Astro Industries Inc., a metal coating and finishing company, is expanding its operations in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin, increasing its plant facility with a 20,000-square-foot addition to help it meet existing demand and accommodate future production and sales growth.

The company produces product plating services for industrial products and grinding and polishing products. Its key customers are in the paper, logging, machine parts, mining, gas and oil industries. Astro Industries was founded in 1982 by Wally Guns and initially operated in a 3,000-square-foot facility with three employees. Since then, second-generation Eric and Zac Guns have taken over the family-owned business, which has grown into a 44,000-square foot manufacturing complex with 45 employees and customers throughout the country.

As an incentive help secure new jobs, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation awarded Astro Industries up to $150,000 in tax credits over the next three years. The actual amount of credits will be contingent upon the number of jobs created during that time. The firm expects to hire 20 new associates.

“In the last 15 years, Astro Industries has expanded three different times and WEDC is pleased that we are able to assist with the latest expansion project,” said Reed Hall, Secretary/CEO of WEDC, the state’s lead economic development organization. “With this award, WEDC continues to show its commitment to help grow the economy in the Green Bay area and the rest of the state.