photo by: Tatum Goetting/Journal-World

At its new Lawrence plant, U.S. Engineering Metalworks will produce a variety of complex heating, cooling and plumbing components for large commercial and industrial projects in the region.

After months of delays, Kansas City, Missouri-based U.S. Engineering Metalworks has officially opened an eastern Lawrence fabrication plant that will make components for major building projects across the region.

U.S. Engineering Metalworks, located on an approximately 25-acre site at Lawrence VenturePark, is expected to provide 80 jobs in its first year of operation, 10 jobs in its second year, another 20 in the third year and another 30 in the fourth year, for a total of 140 jobs.

“We’re committed to helping our team members develop new skills, creating whole new career paths, developing new products and creating stronger partnerships,” U.S. Engineering Chairman Tyler Nottberg said at the plant’s opening Wednesday.

U.S. Engineering has helped design and build Kansas- and Missouri-based facilities like the Cambridge Tower at the University of Kansas Health System, the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and Sporting Kansas City Soccer Park. The company is also working on Kansas City International Airport’s terminal project.

The company designs and manufactures specialty ductwork, piping and other such heating, cooling and plumbing components for large commercial and industrial projects. The company previously has said jobs at the plant involve sheet metal work, welding, cutting, pipefitting and the use of high-tech equipment.

As the Journal-World previously reported, the average wage at the Lawrence plant is estimated to be $72,800, plus other benefits.

photo by: Tatum Goetting

U.S. Engineering Metalworks opened its new Lawrence fabrication plant on Wednesday.

In 2019, the Lawrence City Commission approved tax breaks and other incentives for U.S. Engineering Metalworks to construct the $15 million plant at Lawrence VenturePark, but the project was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Because of the collaboration here, we were able to work through any hiccups that came along the way,” Lawrence Chamber Vice President of Economic Development Steve Kelly said. “We came to solutions that were the result of this collaboration and a commitment to the partnership to make this happen.”

In May 2020, the city approved an expansion of the incentive package by providing an additional free lot for the project. The company planned to build a 154,000-square-foot facility instead of a 100,000-square-foot one. But in December 2020, due to some issues with the lot, the city amended the agreement to include just one lot and a portion of another lot.

Kelly said opening U.S. Engineering in Lawrence is a good opportunity for the community and that it will benefit the city on a long-term scale.

Lawrence Mayor Courtney Shipley said that projects U.S. Engineering will work on at the Lawrence plant will have lasting impact on other projects regionally and nationally.

“I know our little venture out here seemed far-fetched to a lot of people,” Shipley said. “But it’s only with our dedicated partners like the Chamber and visionary collaborators with U.S. Engineering that we can make this a success out here.”

U.S. Engineering President Tim Moormeier also said the company is looking forward to partnering with the City of Lawrence, the community and Lawrence schools.

“This is the start of a whole new vision of our future and strategy,” Moormeier said. “We are super excited to work in this facility for both the community and the owners.”

photo by: Tatum Goetting/Journal-World

Kansas City, Mo.-based U.S. Engineering Metalworks has opened its facility in Lawrence’s VenturePark near 23rd Street and O’Connell Road.