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After outgrowing three facilities in ten years, the full-service contractor’s relocation to North Ridgeville in spring 2018 marks a commitment to serve its growing customer base CLEVELAND – Rudolph Libbe Group, the Toledo-based full-service contracting firm will soon call North Ridgeville home. With the first of two phases slated for completion during the second half of April 2018, this design/build project will showcase the craftsmanship and expertise for which the company is known. Situated on two properties at 4937 and 4940 Mills Industrial Parkway, the Rudolph Libbe Group will retrofit and house its Northeast Ohio operations in three buildings, totaling more than 60,000 square feet. The main facility (4937) will open first and the second phase, including a fabrication shop (4940), is set to open its doors in spring 2019. Rudolph Libbe Properties, one of the Rudolph Libbe Group companies, selected the site and financed the project, located in a former manufacturing facility, to accommodate the company’s growth -- both in project work and personnel. “We were deliberate in our site selection process,” said Dave Boyer, Rudolph Libbe Group general manager, Northeast Ohio operations. “North Ridgeville checked all the boxes for us, from staging requirements to utility needs. The location’s access to interstates is also a strong feature that will allow us to maintain responsiveness to our customers across the region.” The Rudolph Libbe Group has been active in Northeast Ohio for more than 10 years, having first established an office in Westlake in 2005 with 6 full-time employees and largely focused on civil/sitework and equipment setting services. Steady growth led to its relocation to Independence and expanded services, including structural steel, process piping, electrical, HVAC and plumbing and energy services for the chemical, metals and automotive industries. “With our continued growth, the need for a new facility capable of matching both the volume and culture of the organization is a priority,” said Boyer. “It will accommodate our associates’ recruitment and training needs and provide collaborative workspaces to serve our customers best.” The Northeast Ohio team is comprised of approximately 25 full-time employees and 150 more in the field who complement the resources out of Rudolph Libbe Group’s Toledo headquarters. With several projects on the horizon, Boyer plans to double the local workforce within the next five years. To develop the design concept, the Rudolph Libbe Group partnered with AoDK, a Cleveland-based architecture firm responsible for its current space. The new direction favors a distinct headquarters-like look and feel that intentionally incorporates light, exposed and fluid elements. The facility serves as an interactive demonstration of the Rudolph Libbe Group’s design/build expertise and self-perform trade service capabilities. Its design features exposed ceilings, welded steel beams, HVAC and ductwork, signifying pride in the quality of work the company executes. “RLG expressed how essential collaboration was to its work, so we incorporated central group meeting areas with smaller huddle rooms off of a primary spine, similar to the way interaction in historical European cities was planned,” said David Krebs, president, AoDK. Retrofitting the structure required converting 80 percent of the former warehouse into the single-elevation office space. An entirely new façade, combined with new insulation, windows and doors boosts daylight harvesting and energy efficiency. “The hybrid open-office structure reflects a cooperative, vibrant setting,” said Krebs. “We incorporated floor-to-ceiling windows to maximize natural light and establish a contemporary look.” (Rendering courtesy of AoDK Architecture) Another positive of the Mills Industrial Parkway site is the availability of a 10-year tax abatement from North Ridgeville for property improvements. The city is ranked 6th statewide in population growth and credits enhancements to infrastructure and continuous road improvements as the key reasons for its sustained residential and business development. “Rudolph Libbe Group is a welcome addition to our city and Mills Industrial Parkway,” said North Ridgeville Mayor David Gillock. “I’m thrilled they selected our community as their new base of operations in the region.” “The City of North Ridgeville and Mayor Gillock have created a strong business-friendly environment,” said Boyer. “We couldn’t ask for a better community to contribute to and grow with for years to come.” Rudolph Libbe Group The Rudolph Libbe Group (RLG) is a one-stop provider of construction and consulting services that range from site selection and financing to ongoing facility management. The full-service contractor, comprised of Rudolph Libbe Inc., GEM Inc., GEM Energy, Lehman Daman and Rudolph Libbe Properties, operates as one team. RLG is headquartered in Toledo with offices in Cleveland, Columbus and Lima, Ohio; Ithaca, New York; and Plymouth, Michigan. Markets served include automotive, chemical, food processing, healthcare, industrial/manufacturing, institutional, metals, power/petrochemical, refining, education, commercial/retail, hospitality/recreation and warehouse/distribution. For additional information, visit www.RLGBuilds.com and @RLGbuilds.