Innovative Hearth Products (IHP), manufacturer of Astria, IronStrike, and Superior brand fireplaces, stoves, inserts, and accessories, held a grand reopening ceremony for its Russellville, Alabama, facility in late October. The ceremony commemorated the company’s renovation and expansion of the facility, which involved a 14-month, $14-million investment that has resulted in 225 new jobs for the local and surrounding communities.

To address manufacturing and sales growth, IHP enlarged the original 105,000–square-foot operation to 320,000 square feet. The company acquired new state of-the-art equipment, as well as transferring necessary equipment from its Union City, Tennessee, and Santa Ana, California, facilities to the renovated Russellville location. In addition, IHP dedicated numerous hours to advanced employee training, over several months, in preparation for the factory’s reopening.

IHP dedicated the facility to friend and former employee Charlie Krosp, who was instrumental in opening the plant in 2004. Krosp productively managed the operation for a number of years before retiring in 2011. In his honor, the new factory will be referred to as Charlie’s Campus, with a plaque in the visitor’s lobby to honor him and his longtime devotion to the company.

Guests at the grand reopening included Mark Klein, CEO; IHP employees; industry professionals; community leaders; and dignitaries (state Sen. Roger Bedford, state Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow, and Russellville Mayor David Grissom).

Klein says, “Without the support of Sen. Bedford and the team of local officials, along with an incredibly dedicated team of employees, this huge accomplishment would not have been possible. Our investment partners, ComVest, made a significant contribution of over $14 million to ensure a solid foundation for our intended long-term growth. We have truly been blessed, from every aspect. This facility will be a cornerstone of our organization. We have incorporated some new state-of-the-art paint booths, along with our lean manufacturing technologies. When all is completed, this will ensure we are the leanest, lowest cost producer in the industry.”