40 employees are affected, offered jobs at new location

An Albert Lea manufacturer will move in June to the Twin Cities area.

According to a press release on Wednesday, Fountain Industries LLC will move its manufacturing and offices to a new, 48,000-square foot manufacturing, office and warehouse facility in Shakopee.

The company designs and manufactures parts-washing equipment used by automotive repair and industrial manufacturing markets worldwide.

Each of the approximately 40 employees in Albert Lea have been offered positions in the new location, the press release states. The company expects to hire additional manufacturing and administrative positions before the move is finished.

“We are excited about our move,” said Fountain Industries CEO William S. Dea. “We have tremendous growth opportunities ahead. With our expanded capabilities, new products and additional employees, we have a very promising future, continuing Fountain’s success over the last 50 years.”

According to the company, the move is driven by increasing domestic and overseas markets sales.

“The company is realigning its operations to have a broader range for supply and service,” the press release states.

The new location will reportedly allow the company to be closer to key suppliers and service providers while improving travel and access for customers.

The current building, at 922 E. 14th St. in Albert Lea, could be sold or leased, said Steve Hawkins, vice president of marketing.

According to Hawkins, the new building will have approximately the same amount of space as the Albert Lea facility.

In 2012, Fountain Industries expanded distribution to 24 countries in Europe. Prior to that, the company’s products were sold primarily in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The company services oil recycling companies, environmental service providers, automotive tool and equipment distributors and general industry supply distributors.

“For over 50 years, Fountain Industries has been a designer and manufacturer of high quality, USA-made parts cleaning equipment and systems,” the press release states. “Through acquisitions and product development, the company has grown into an innovator of both solvent and environmentally friendly aqueous-based parts cleaning equipment. Its product platforms feature designs for manual, soak, agitation and spray-cleaning processes.”