Viatran celebrates grand opening for new headquarters at Calamar's mixed-use dev.

Viatran celebrated an official grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for its new headquarters in Calamar's mixed-use development, The Woodlands Corporate Center East. Viatran's New York operation signed a lease with Calamar to occupy 18,000 s/f at 3829 Forest Parkway, a 42,000 s/f multi-tenant facility. Viatran, a Dynisco company, is a worldwide leader providing pressure and level sensors in applications such as oil and gas services, steel productions, food and medical equipment, injection molding, die casting and chemical production. The Woodlands Corporate Center East is a 120-acre mixed use park developed by Calamar comprised of commercial, industrial, office, and residential components with both build-to-suit land opportunities as well as multi-tenant flex facilities. The Woodlands Corporate Center is located just minutes from Amherst at the Niagara/Erie County borders and represents one of the largest mixed-use development in Niagara County. Calamar is dedicating over $150 million of capital investment and is expected to create and retain 2,500 jobs. Viatran was formerly headquartered on Grand Island and considered other locations and out-of-state options before selecting The Woodlands Corporate Center. "Total building value" was a large factor in the selection process as was the Empower Niagara program. "We're honored to welcome such a dynamic, world-wide organization to our property," said Calamar president Kenneth Franasiak. "We're extremely pleased to announce this important step for The Woodlands Corporate Center, which is attracting strong interest and will further our strategy to position the park as a destination for national and international clients." Calamar is presently home to several international organizations. "The signing of an established and stable corporation like Viatran, who has been in business for over 40 years, to The Woodlands Corporate Center reflects the efforts of many. We deeply appreciate the commitment demonstrated by our partners in this endeavor - State senator George Maziarz, Niagara County legislature chairman Bill Ross, The Department of Economic Development, chairman Henry Sloma and executive director Sam Ferraro of The Niagara County Industrial Development Agency who were instrumental in procuring hydro power for this project through the Empower Niagara program, a program designed to allocate low cost power as an incentive to draw business to Niagara County. This project would not be possible without their full support and cooperation," said Franasiak. Viatran, which began operations in 1965 with only three people inside an old garage on the west side of Buffalo has grown tremendously and has offices in Franklin, Mass. as well as Malaysia. They currently employ approximately 50 people and anticipate hiring an additional 25 persons within the next three years. They have already hired three new employees and foresee hiring more in the very near future. Ken Brown, Dynisco's president, is very thankful to Calamar and the representatives of Niagara County who have worked so hard to bring Viatran to The Woodlands Corporate Center. This move is a major step in Dynisco's strategic growth plan and will allow product expansion opportunities in a first class manufacturing facility.