Aurora Specialty Textiles Group celebrated the grand opening of its new 124,000 square foot manufacturing plant in Yorkville, IL, yesterday.

The celebration marked the end of a two-year period that began with the decision to invest millions in a new, state-of-the art North American textile manufacturing operation, in a new location – but without leaving the area in Illinois where Aurora has operated for over 133 years. Aurora is a subsidiary of Milwaukee, WI-based Meridian Industries, Inc.

In addition to kicking off the formal launch of the company’s new high tech manufacturing facility, marked Aurora’s commitment to investing in state-of-the-art technology while moving into exciting, new global markets for wide width coating and finishing, including print media.

“Today is a tremendous day for Aurora Specialty Textile Group,” said Dan LaTurno, president of Aurora. “It marks the symbolic end of our transition from the Aurora plant to our new Yorkville operation, and the beginning of a new, exciting era. We’ve been committed to becoming a global leader in wide width coating and finishing and this new plant, which could not operate today without the hard work of the people here, is testament to what we are calling today ‘The New Aurora.’

LaTurno added that ‘The New Aurora’ reflects the company’s commitment to staying ahead of the industries it serves. “As the world changes, we now have the world-class capabilities, state-of-the-art equipment and expertise within R&D to meet those challenges.”

Meridian owner, Bruce Pindyck, added: “From my first involvement in Meridian in 1968, I have believed in investing back in the business and in being in the forefront from a technological, manufacturing and innovation standpoint. I have always felt that our businesses needed to be nurtured and supported. I am also committed to a strong manufacturing presence in our country. Meridian is my life’s work and I am passionately committed to having our companies be successful for the benefit of all of our constituencies.”

Founded in 1883 on the west side of the Fox River in Aurora, IL, Aurora operated solely as a bleaching operation before adding finishing, dyeing and coating capabilities. Pindyck purchased Aurora in 1977.

Recently, as the global textile industry changed, company leadership saw the opportunity to move into ultra wide-width coating of textiles and establish Aurora as a premier textile coater. That move, however, required finding a larger manufacturing facility and investing in new equipment. After reviewing the options at hand, the company decided to move forward into the future with the new plant and equipment and began adding new employees, while also training existing employees to operate a new generation of equipment.

The plant features the company’s new EHWHA ultra wide-width coating and finishing line, which works easily with a broad range of woven and nonwoven materials up to 134” wide. The EHWHA enhances Aurora’s ability to serve both current and new customers.