Hunter Douglas, maker of custom window coverings, said Thursday it will build a new facility in Salt Lake City that will allow it to grow operations and double its Utah work force.

The company, which currently occupies two buildings in Murray, will consolidate to a single facility at the Bonneville Center, located west of the Salt Lake City International Airport and the International Center. Construction on the new $17 million, 240,000-square-foot building is expected to be complete by April 2007, according to Lynne Meixell, general manager of Hunter Douglas' Utah operations.

The new facility, 111 N. Apollo Road (5825 West), will boost operations three-fold, Meixell said. Consolidating operations will increase efficiency and productivity, and the increased floor, manufacturing and office space will allow the company the room to stretch and grow, Meixell said.

"It makes sense for us to put all of our Utah operations under one roof," she said. "Right now, we're in two buildings. So we should see some efficiencies from that. It will also allow us to grow. It'll give us the space we need to add new lines, new products and new people in the office."

Hunter Douglas currently employs about 250 workers in Utah, in jobs ranging from light manufacturing to customer service, marketing and sales. After operations shift to the new facility — a process that is expected to occur in staggered moves in April 2007 — Meixell said that roster likely will double.

"We expect the new hires to be over a period of time," Meixell said. "But most likely within the year (2007)."

Meixell said Hunter Douglas is watching the homebuilding and remodel markets closely, and though there is concern industrywide about the advent of a real estate bubble, Hunter Douglas is going ahead with the expansion.

"Being able to offer more products and provide better service will help us," she said. "We'll be looking to open up to new markets, like the remodeling market (in addition to providing window coverings for new-home builders).

"I think it is a risky thing, but I also feel confident in our ability to take advantage of the opportunities that are out there," Meixell said.

New Jersey-based Hunter Douglas Window Fashions is part of the Hunter Douglas Group, which is headquartered in Holland. Hunter Douglas launched its Utah operations 12 years ago in Murray at 4282 S. 500 West.

---

E-mail: jnii@desnews.com