ALC invests in American Workers New Factory in Jefferson, Wisconsin for the Action Lift Chair™

For Immediate Release: January 23, 2009
Contact: Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608-267-9661
Lucien Campolo, ALC, Inc. 305-968-5422

MADISON - ALC, Inc. is extremely proud to announce the launch of its new manufacturing facility in Jefferson, Wisconsin and a new generation of the Action Lift Chair™ line of medical furniture. Committed to the American worker, ALC chose to forego foreign imports and invest in America. Dan Smeltzer, ALC's Chief Executive says that higher production costs are justified by the higher quality and greater control over its production.

"In our search for a factory site, we were pleased to learn of the well-trained upholstered furniture workers in Jefferson left behind by the century-old Schweiger Furniture company that closed in 2004," said Smeltzer. The CEO continued, "ALC is an innovator, and one must have full involvement to innovate successfully."

"We were please to assist ALC personnel in their search for an appropriate location for their new facility in Jefferson County," said Department of Commerce Secretary Richard J. Leinenkugel. "Area Development Manager Kathy Heady worked with ALC throughout the Jefferson County area to find the ideal site. We're pleased that ALC sought to expand its company here in Wisconsin."

In addition, the City of Jefferson and Badger Bank, a regional full-service bank, provided necessary funding to create the factory and needed jobs. ALC is already busy producing its fully redesigned "new generation" of lift chairs, other new products, and private label products.

Lucien Campolo, ALC's Chief Financial Officer and Director of Sales, said "we investigated several options internationally and domestically, including mergers, acquisitions, and contract manufacturers. In the end, we came full circle to establishing our own American factory. The financing was right, the trained employees were available, the wage rate was affordable, and many dealers were very interested in a high quality, American-made lift chair." Smeltzer added, "The economy may be uncertain, but things will not change until we commit to rebuilding America. Its good for business and investors have noticed."

Founded in 1978, ALC is the oldest lift chair manufacturer in the United States and the foremost expert in the industry. That expertise has come from exceeding the needs of their retailers and consumers for 30 years. The company is looking forward to a bright future.

ALC, Inc. can be reached at ActionLiftChair.com.

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