Diamond Vogel celebrated completion of the second phase of its “Building on Success” initiative Sept. 13, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open its $15 million Innovation Center in Orange City, Iowa.
“The Innovation Center provides our technical staff with the space and resources to develop innovative and relevant products to meet our customers’ needs and requirements,” said Jeff Powell, president and CEO. Continued innovation is a requirement for Diamond Vogel’s long-term sustainability and success.”
Construction began on the 36,000-square-foot facility in October 2021. With its completion, the company says as many as 60 R&D scientists will work in the laboratory and office space, collaborating to continually improve the company’s line of paints and coatings.
Diamond Vogel Chairman Drew Vogel told KCAU 9 that the addition to the Orange City campus brings the team all under one roof.
“Our company’s first research lab was no bigger than a closet. Now with the Innovation Center, we have a cutting-edge facility able to support our research and development team in Orange City,” Drew Vogel said in a statement. “We are thankful to have a facility that measures up to the people working in it.”
The company’s “Building on Success” initiative was launched as a five-year plan in 2018 with the goal of expanding the Orange City campus and creating 155 jobs. The plan included a $24 million capital investment for the Innovation Center, a maintenance facility, expansion of the company’s powder coating manufacturing facility, and upgrades to existing office facilities.