Commercial laundry service provider Balfurd Inc. is set to test equipment at its new facility in Antis Township starting in early November, according to company president Bob Fogelsanger.
Several months ago, Fogelsanger had said the company had a target date of November to make the transition from facilities in State College to the Ardie J. Dillen Industrial Park. In June, plans had moved along enough that an October date became a possibility. However, the heavy rains the remainder of the summer pushed the project back to its original target date in November.
Yesterday, Fogelsanger confirmed testing would begin on Nov. 2 and would last about two weeks. After the testing is completed, the firm would then begin to transfer operations over a two-week period starting in mid-November.
“We will move the healthcare portion the first week,” said Fogelsanger. “Then in the second week, we’ll transfer the linen portion.”
He explained the reason the transition will take place over a couple of weeks is to allow the firm to operate in both places, so it can continue to serve its customers during the move.
Balfurd purchased a 30,000-square-foot building in the industrial park and received approval to construct a 13,000-plus-square-foot addition from Antis Township supervisors earlier this year.
In addition to the expansion of the building, the company’s plans included the creation of a dock canopy for its trucks, a parking lot and an access road.
Fogelsanger said he still expected about 40 employees from the State College facility to transfer to the new location. He said the company would have between four to six new employees. He also said there could be additional jobs if some of the employees decide not to transfer when the move actually happens.
Balfurd Inc. will also continue to maintain a retail outlet and some other operations in the State College area even after the production plant closes, once the transition period is completed.
Fogelsanger said the company is planning a ribbon-cutting or grand opening at the new facility in December.
