Manufacturer's Expansion Plan Reflects Growth in Tough Economy

An Avon reflective product manufacturer, purchased within the last year by a German company, is planning to stay in Avon and nearly double the size of its headquarters on Darling Drive.

The Avon Planning and Zoning Commission approved Reflexite’s application Tuesday night to expand the 67,000-square-foot building by a footprint of 53,900 square feet.

“We always felt it was important to stay where our roots are,” Steve McGuff, Reflexite director of global operations, said of the Connecticut company, which was founded in the Berlin area in 1970 and moved to 120 Darling Dr. in Avon in 1993.

Reflexite makes reflective material for fire and police uniforms, construction vests, trucks, buses, traffic control signs, boats, navigation and military purposes.

“Not only can it save energy,” McGuff said, noting Reflexite’s eco-friendly business practices, “but it can also save lives.”

Up until last year, Reflexite was an employee-owned company. Orafol, a private company outside of Berlin, approached Reflexite about buying it and purchased it last August. McGuff said it was a good match.

“This is exciting because they’re staying and they’re growing,” Town Planner Steve Kushner said.

Reflexite does business in about 20 countries, McGuff said. The company is closing its smaller New Britain plant and relocating 40 jobs to the Avon headquarters, Kushner said.

“We’re expanding not only here, but we’re expanding globally,” McGuff said. “This is just a strong statement from our new owner about their commitment to the business, commitment to the town of Avon and the state of Connecticut with wanting to invest here in this community.”

The factory abuts a residential area. Arch Road resident Mitch Kennedy voiced his concerns about the expansion project, such as construction trucks adding traffic to Arch Road and the visibility of it from his home.

He and his wife, Dina Pelletier both expressed frustration about the possible increase in noise once more machinery is added.

“I’m no sound engineer and I’m not going to claim to be, but there is a noise I hear 24 hours a day from inside my bedroom with the windows closed,” Kennedy said. “I’m a huge fan of manufacturing in Connecticut. It’s what I do for a living. I want to keep jobs here.  I’m excited you have the opportunity to expand.”

The application was approved on the conditions that construction trucks avoid Arch Road, building work is done during normal hours and that trees be planted to screen potential reserve parking lots for aesthetic and sound reasons.

“We’ve been a concerned citizen since we’ve been here. In the 19 years I’ve been here I’ve addressed numerous of the neighborhood issues over noise, noise reduction.” McGuff said. “We’ve always tried to be the best neighbors we could and fix those issues.”

McGuff said that Avon is a “great” and “professional” community to be in and that it’s “a very strong draw” for customers, suppliers and employees. He said it’s also an accessible location – whether to other parts of the state or to airports for business travel.

“Quite frankly, the town has been great over the last 19 years,” McGuff said. “This has just been an outstanding industrial park for us to operate in.”