Advantage Tent Fittings, Inc., a Chillicothe based manufacturer and distributor of commercial and military tent components, event rental products, and custom-sewn/heat-sealed products, announced it will be adding a new state-of-the-art radio frequency vinyl sealing machine to its production capabilities. The new machine is expected to become operational in November and will be leveraged to enhance existing product lines and support the company’s continued diversification into other non-tent related applications including vinyl products used in decontamination, first responder, and medical-related fields.
The company will move forward on the expansion with assistance from a $20,000 JobsOhio Inclusion Grant and a $20,000 Fluor BWXT Opportunity Fund Grant that will cover a portion of the investment.
According to company president Ben Hall, “We are honored and greatly appreciate the opportunity to work with JobsOhio and Fluor BWXT on this exciting and transformative investment in new equipment. He added, “In addition to enhancing our core product lines through added capacity and quality controls, this project will provide a robust foundation for future growth through continued diversification into very essential non-tent related applications.”
The company has been in hiring mode throughout 2020 due to demand for vinyl products used in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and believes the new equipment will support at least three new full-time manufacturing jobs and provide a much broader business foundation across multiple markets and applications.
“Advantage Tent Fittings is a great growing, locally-owned manufacturer producing products used by our military every day,” said Mike Jacoby, OhioSE president. “We and our partners at JobsOhio welcome Advantage Tents’ expansion in Chillicothe, which is another example of a company that has found its competitive edge in southern Ohio.”
“Ross County is excited to have this opportunity to support a legacy employer,” said Tammy Eallonardo, Greater Chillicothe & Ross County Development Director. “Advantage Tent Fittings, founded by Mike Hall and now under the guidance of Ben Hall, has grown significantly over the years. With the support of our JEDISO Partners (Joint Economic Development Initiative of Southern Ohio), I am happy to announce that a grant will be awarded from the Fluor BWXT Opportunity Fund to assist this employer in the diversification of their product line to meet new demands brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Additional coverage:
- “Business Roundup” – Herald Dispatch, 11/15/2020
- “Advantage Tent Fittings, Inc. of Chillicothe plans investment to diversity, add new jobs” – The Highland County Press, 11/10/2020
