Viega Selects Wichita for North American Headquarters and
Announces Expansion at McPherson Manufacturing Facility

Viega’s decided in 2005 to call Wichita home for its North American headquarters. It also planned an expansion of its manufacturing and logistics facility in McPherson.

Viega will build a 75,000 square foot headquarters at the Waterfront, 13th and Webb Road, and has leased temporary space in the Epic Center. The headquarters move included relocating employees from different parts of the country, as well as hiring additional employees in various corporate management and support positions, including sales and marketing, human resources, accounting and operations support. By the end of its first year in South Central Kansas, Viega expected to have 80 corporate professional employees in Wichita, and is poised to grow to more than 100 after the move to the permanent headquarters.

In McPherson, Viega announced plans to build a new 450,000 square foot manufacturing facility and logistics center. It will be located along I-135 northeast of McPherson. The current molding and extrusion manufacturing plants employ 300 people. Employment is expected to increase 25 percent over the next five years.

Between the Wichita headquarters and McPherson facilities, Viega is investing more than $50 million in Kansas.

“These moves are a testament to the quality of Kansas workers and the outstanding business climate here in our state,” said Governor Sebelius. “We’ve seen good job growth these last couple of years, and these new jobs will add to that growing prosperity. The company’s investment is impressive, and we’re pleased to welcome Viega to our state.”

Viega NA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Viega GmbH & Co. KG (Viega). Founded in 1899 in Attendorn, Germany, Viega provides plumbing and heating solutions to contractors. It is a family owned business which employs more than 2,000 people worldwide and manufactures more than 12,000 products. In September of 2005, it acquired Vanguard Piping Systems and Midtec Inc. of America based in McPherson.

“It is an exciting day in Viega’s history,” said Dan Schmierer, Viega North American CEO. “Our acquisition of Vanguard last fall extended our product line with the perfect strategic fit. Now we are expanding that presence in McPherson, and re-locating our headquarters to Wichita. I’ve already moved here and it’s a great city and home.”

The McPherson facility designs and manufactures proprietary water distribution systems, hydronic radiant heating systems and precision fittings. It is the leading seller of flexible plastic pipe in the United States plumbing market.

"McPherson is very proud of the fact that Vanguard and Midtec both originated in McPherson,” said McPherson Mayor William J. Goering. “Both companies have been model corporate citizens exhibiting high standards and excellent business practices. We look forward to continuing the excellent relationship with their new owners, and welcome them to our community."

For the headquarters, the Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition helped identify available local incentives from the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County. Elected officials will vote on a local property tax abatement. The Kansas Department of Commerce will support the project through several business assistance programs, including the Kansas Industrial Training program, a forgivable loan, and Enterprise Zone tax credits and exemptions. In McPherson, the facility will be eligible for various tax incentives.

The Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition is the regional public/private partnership charged with creating and executing the region’s business recruitment, retention and expansion plans. 
 
The McPherson Industrial Development Company is the public/private industrial recruiting and expansion arm for the City of McPherson and McPherson County.