Brilex to expand operations

By Karl Henkel

khenkel@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Brilex Industries Inc. has announced plans to expand its operations at a new facility that could add 30 to 50 jobs in the next five years.

Brilex, which works out of a 150,000-square-foot facility at 1201 Crescent St., will begin operating out of a second, 130,000-square- foot building at 101 Andrews Ave. later this year.

That building formerly housed Pollock Co.

The complete project — including facility costs, renovations and the cost of new machines — will cost approximately $6 million, said Brian Benyo, president of Brilex, who co-founded the company in 1996 with his brother, Alex.

“It will allow us to reorganize some of the things we do with the thought of being more effective,” Benyo said.

He said the need for more space was driven by the demand in the field of power generation, which is expected to grow concurrently with new availability of cheap natural gas from the Marcellus and Utica shales.

The new jobs will call for skilled workers in fitting, welding, machining and assembly as well as some additional management positions.

Benyo said the company hopes to start operating out of the new facility later this year and that major activity will begin during the first half of 2012.

Brilex is a member of the newly formed Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition, which consists of more than a dozen local businesses aiming to raise support to address their work-force needs.