Flexovit celebrates facility reopening; hosts Rep. Collins for tour

Written by Kyra Senese, Managing Editor
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U.S. Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY-27) toured Flexovit’s Angola, N.Y., manufacturing facility Oct. 5.
Flexovit

U.S. Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY-27) toured Flexovit USA Inc.’s Angola, N.Y., manufacturing facility Oct. 5 and met with local officials and industry stakeholders in an event coordinated by the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA).

 

Flexovit CEO Tom Calabrese led the tour, showcasing the recently reopened 100,000 square-foot facility that underwent serious damage in 2014 from extreme snowfall. Officials say Flexovit’s staff has since worked continuously to bring the facility back to a good state of repair and resume production.

“We are honored to be joined by [Rep.] Collins and our local officials to share in this proud and emotional moment for us,” Calabrese said. “Our business and employees were pushed to the brink, but we pushed through adversity and never gave up on our community. We have called the Angola-Evans area home for almost 40 years and could not be happier to share in our reopening with our community and elected officials.”

Flexovit employees demonstrated how to use the company’s grinding and rail cutting products, which are among a range of abrasive products for portable power tools offered by the manufacturer, the company says.

Rep. Collins also noted the benefits of a safe freight rail system to Western New York’s economy.

“A strong and efficient railroad is crucial for getting Western New York’s goods to market,” Rep. Collins said to fellow attendees. “It was a honor to learn more about Flexovit and witness their commitment to our region firsthand. We look forward to working with our local businesses to continue to support policies that provide high-skill and high-wage jobs. 

Those in attendance  also discussed the bipartisan Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy Act, which would bolster the security of the shortline tax credit, also referred to as the 45G tax credit.

Regulation initiatives recently issued by the Surface Transportation Board regarding reciprocal switching and commodity regulation were also a topic of interest, as attendees discussed concerns that the initiatives could lower capital investments in freight rail and in turn decrease the amount of high-paying rail industry jobs across the country.

 

Also in attendance were:

  • Robert Biondi, president, Evans-Brant Chamber of Commerce
  • Pierre Hawkins, director of sales & marketing, Flexovit
  • Supervisor Mary Hosler, Town of Evans
  • Bob Riehle, director of manufacturing and human resources, Flexovit
  • Starr Torres, marketing coordinator, Flexovit
  • Sean Winkler, grassroots coordinator, REMSA
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