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Date: 11/16/2022
SPRINGFIELD – The long-running manufacturing business Duc-Pac Corporation has operated since 1949 as a specialty producer of aluminum, copper and metal duct work for HVAC equipment shipped throughout the Northeast. During a Nov. 11 ribbon-cutting ceremony, Duc-Pac celebrated its relocation from East Longmeadow to the refurbished 1125 Page Blvd. site alongside city leaders and the corporation’s staff of local employees.
Duc-Pac President Greg Merchant shared that the business sought a new base of operations due to numerous restrictions from their previous space at 21 Baldwin St. The previous location featured tighter space constraints and a singular loading bay for shipping items in and out of the warehouse.
Duc-Pac’s move to Springfield signifies a significant investment. Merchant shared that Duc-Pac spent $3.7 million on acquiring the space before allocating an additional $1.5 million in remodeling the 104,000-square foot building into an efficient manufacturing area. The 1125 Page Blvd. property previously housed four businesses, but with two business entities leaving the space, Duc-Pac became interested in acquiring the entire building for their operation.
Merchant said Duc-Pac considered a variety of options in their relocation efforts, including a possible move to northern Connecticut. Ultimately, Merchant said that Springfield became a receptive partner to host their business.
“They were very receptive … they wanted us here,” said Merchant.
Merchant spent significant time over the past year working alongside East Springfield Neighborhood Council President Kathleen Brown in ensuring Duc-Pac would be a beneficial neighbor to the area. Duc-Pac also received financial support from Springfield via a five-year Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreement that the City Council approved in October 2021.
The new facility continues providing increased opportunities for Duc-Pac since the manufacturer opened its doors in August. Along with featuring extra loading bays for larger tractor trailers, newer equipment and drastically increased floor-to-ceiling space, the new base of operations allows Duc-Pac to produce more products in a more efficient manner.
“The workflow is more efficient … it really helps save time,” said Merchant.
For example, the 53-foot tractor trailers that are now utilized by Duc-Pac can ship two to six orders at a time, with Duc-Pac employees separating each order with thin plywood dividers.
Duc-Pac plant manager Josh Paine, who has worked in nearly every operational role across his 25 years with the company, said that Duc-Pac continues experiencing an endless array of orders. He shared that the new space has drastically improved organization of the manufacturer’s workflow.
“They are pretty sizable orders … but with this great group we have, we get it done,” said Paine.
During the ribbon cutting ceremony, Mayor Domenic Sarno applauded Duc-Pac’s dedication to hiring and maintaining local employees. Along with transferring their 58 employees from the former East Longmeadow location to Springfield, Duc-Pack will employ additional manufacturers with a focus on hiring qualified local applicants.
“We’re very pleased that they are here … I’m so appreciative of the investment from a family-owned business and the creation of a good four-letter word, jobs,” said Sarno.
Springfield Chief Economic Development Officer Timothy Sheehan stressed that the city continues to be a welcoming host for a multitude of businesses.
“The city of Springfield is open for business and can respond to the commercial demands relative to today’s manufacturing. We welcome the job creation coming from this,” said Sheehan.
Brown spoke in favor of Duc-Pac’s move to the area.
“We are so delighted to see real manufacturing come back to East Springfield … you’ve been wonderful partners and neighbors already,” said Brown.
Heidi Merchant, whose grandfather Rudolph Fisher acquired Duc-Pac in the 1960s, spoke about her family’s legacy in operating the business. Her father, Ronald Fisher, dreamed of moving the business to Springfield before his passing earlier this year.
“I dedicate appreciation to my father Ron for his lifelong passion to build our Duc-Pac legacy,” said Heidi Merchant.
Greg Merchant also spoke on how Duc-Pac specializes in its brand of duct work production.
“It’s a hard-fought business … We are some of the very few in the country who know how to do what we do and do it as efficiently and quickly as we do,” said Greg Merchant.
Greg Merchant aspires for Duc-Pac’s new investment in Springfield to help the business and the city prosper alike.
“We’re going to make this property something Springfield can be proud to have,” said Greg Merchant.
Readers can learn more about Duc-Pac at http://www.ducpac.com/.