Gates plant in Iola to expand, add workers

Gates Corp., a global maker of industrial and automotive products, will expand its Iola manufacturing plant to produce a new line of oil and gas hose products.

The 82,000-square-foot expansion will enlarge the plant, which makes hydraulic and industrial hoses, to more than 500,000 square feet.

Construction is expected to start this summer and take about 18 months, including the installation and testing of new equipment.

The plant, in operation since 1975, employs more than 650 people and is currently taking job applications.

The expansion will mean 25 to 30 new jobs, according to the Kansas Department of Commerce, which is in negotiations with the company over incentives.

“Gates Corp. continues to invest in Iola and create good manufacturing jobs,” said Kansas Commerce Secretary Pat George. “It’s exciting that the company has achieved so much success in southeast Kansas and is contributing to our state’s economic growth.”

This story was originally published February 4, 2015 at 12:07 PM with the headline "Gates plant in Iola to expand, add workers."