Bluffton’s biggest news story of 2013 comes within one week of a new year.
The story involves revitalization of the property, which at one time housed Bluffton’s largest employer.
Here’s the story of the year: The buildings and property housing the Triplett Corp. have a new owner.
TCG Coatings, affiliate of Diamond Manufacturing of Bluffton, is that owner, according to Tom Langhals, owner and president of Diamond and Colonial Surface Solutions. Tammy Whitlow is the administrative manager of Diamond.
“We closed on the (Triplett) property last week,” Langhals told The Icon on Friday. "Negotiations started four months ago.”
Langhals said that The Triplett Corp., doing business as LFE/API will continue to lease 10,000 square feet in the main building, thus saving the jobs in that company. LFE/API has a limited number of employees.
“We need the property for warehouse space. We are overflowing with warehousing needs from local companies,” he said, adding that the local companies currently use space in Diamond Manufacturing at 505 E. Jefferson St.
Diamond’s original square footage was 189,000 square feet. Last year 30,000 additional square feet were added. All of that space is full, says Langhals.
In addition, Langhals said that Diamond Manufacturing is growing and it needs additional space. He said that the company could double its 2013 outpoint in 2014.
The first noticeable change Bluffton residents will see from the new owners of the buildings on Triplett Drive is that the cables blocking parking there will be removed.
“That parking area will become public parking, as long as I can have one spot for myself,” said Langhals.
Under the ownership of the Triplett Corp. founders, which were members of the Triplett family, the employee parking area was used for football game crowds and for other general public use. That changed with the most recent owners of the property, who blocked off the parking area with the cables.
Langhals said that the largest of the buildings, which make up the Triplett Corp., includes 60,000 square feet for warehouse use. The new owners will retain that building. In addition, the machinery shop will also remain.
In 2014, probably by mid-summer, the engineering building, the boilers behind the main building and the “chicken coop” will be removed.
Langhals said that two semi-trailer docks will be added main building. In addition three people will be hired to run the warehouse. Hauling products for storage into the Triplett building could begin as soon as Tuesday.
Colonial Surface Solutions of Columbus Grove purchased the former Mid-Bus property on Jefferson Street. In 2010 the company purchase Diamond Manufacturing, located in Delphos. It opened in Bluffton with four employees. Today Diamond has approximately 70 employees, including full-time and temporary employees.
Diamond builds racks for the automobile industry. The racks are used to move products from manufacturing plants to auto assembly plants.
Depending upon the size of the racks, 30 or more per day are produced and shipped from Diamond. That production will increase in 2014.
Langhals said that Diamond’s customers include General Motors, Nissan, Honda, BMW and at least one broker.
