By By ERIN VER BERKMOES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - After being in the community for a relatively short time, AACOA Extrusions Inc. was recognized by the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce as its 2004 Business of the Year at its annual meeting March 23.
Formsma added Niles officials have really shown a willingness to work with the company by providing things that they need to effectively operate their business, such as the building of a new water tower at Bertrand crossing.
Formsma added that this location was ideally suited for the company because of its proximity to the toll road and other major highways.
Formsma added that he wishes for the community of Niles to know that AACOA is dedicated to the Niles area and intent on being a responsible neighbor.
AACOA Extrusions was started in 1998. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AACOA Inc. out of Elkhart Ind. The Niles plant was constructed in late 1998, and was approximately 90,000 square feet. A 2,500 ton extrusion press capable of producing 15 million pounds of aluminum extrusions was put in place. At this time the company also began to fabricate aluminum products on a small scale, which included cutting, milling, punching and drilling.
AACOA is now capable of extruding about 30 million pounds of aluminum and employees about 160 people.