Mervis to open railcar repair facility in Hutchinson

A railcar repair and maintenance company announced Thursday that it would open a facility in Hutchinson.

Mervis Railcar, a division of Mervis Industries, said the company planned to invest about $35 million and hire 150 workers at the facility over the next three years, according to a news release.

“Mervis chose Kansas as the best place to build its new facility because we have a skilled workforce and excellent infrastructure,” Gov. Sam Brownback said in a statement. “The company’s investment in Hutchinson will contribute to our state’s continued strong economic growth.”

Mervis Railcar will provide refurbishing services for railcars that carry fuel, agricultural products and other products.

The Hutchinson facility will be the only facility in the nation capable of receiving and servicing a unit train of 100 or more cars, according to the release, which said the growth in oil and fuel transportation by rail has increased the need for maintenance services.

The majority of the 150 positions created by Mervis will be filled by skilled welders. The establishment of the Hutchinson facility will include the construction of four buildings and more than 20,000 feet of railroad track.

Mervis is based in Danville, Ill.

This story was originally published October 30, 2014 at 2:21 PM with the headline "Mervis to open railcar repair facility in Hutchinson."