Group O expanding, adding jobs

Group O is adding 40 jobs and doing extensive upgrades to its Milan facility.

The Milan-based company is building a state-of-the art, climate-controlled facility so it can complete work for a leading producer of silicones.

“This means a lot to the community,” said Gregg Ontiveros, Group O CEO. “We are going to be bringing some good-paying jobs to the community with this deal.”

Mr. Ontiveros added that the Milan facility will be adding about 40 jobs in the near future, and the upgrades to the building should be operational in the next 30 days or so.

The extensive upgrades will be to the existing Group O building at 7300 50th St., directly behind the company’s headquarters. Mr. Ontiveros would not put a price tag on the upgrades, but said it would be a “significant investment” for the company.

The new growth is to help a top producer of silicones manage the filling, packaging, warehousing and distribution of its silicone products. 

“Group O will receive the bulk product through reusable fluid-bag containers, and package it into drums, pails, sausage packs and cartridges using ultramodern filling machines and packaging automation,” according to a news release from Group O.

The silicone products will be used for roof coating, air and water barriers, architectural coatings, weather sealing, residential glazing, insulating glass and other uses in the construction industry.

Group O’s new upgrade to its current 117,00-square-foot building will help ensure quality and consistency by creating a lineup of custom colors for silicone products, according to the company news release. Mr. Ontiveros said he doesn’t think the upgrade will add to the building’s current square footage, but “we’ll see where it goes from here.”

To support the new growth, Group O is hiring new workers. Pay starts at $18 an hour with a benefits package, according to information from the company.

Group O specializes in supply chain, packaging and customer acquisition and retention programs. The company has operations in Minnesota and Texas. The Milan facility employs about 750 people, Mr. Ontiveros said.

Founded in 1974 as a small, family-owned company, Group O has grown into a $900 million enterprise with industry experience under the leadership of the Ontiveros family.

For more information on applying for jobs at Group O, go to groupo.com/careers.

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