The Dana B. Kenyon Company (DBK), a well-established construction firm with expertise in commercial and industrial markets, has kicked off the first phase of construction for IKO’s new asphalt shingle manufacturing plant in Clay County, Florida.
David Koschitzky, CEO of IKO, shared, “It has always been a core belief of ours, dating back to my grandfather’s founding of the company over 70 years ago, that growth is essential—you can either grow or shrink, but you can’t stand still. The past decade has been a period of significant growth for IKO. We are excited to be building our first-ever facility in Florida, and we are grateful to Clay County and the Clay County Economic Development Corporation for their support throughout this project.”
A Major Investment
The IKO facility, covering more than 75 acres, will initially feature a state-of-the-art asphalt shingle production plant. As market demand evolves, the company also plans to potentially expand the campus with an insulation board plant and a commercial rolled roofing facility.
The first phase of construction, which began in December 2023, includes a 300,000-square-foot building for shingle manufacturing and rack storage. DBK has already completed the installation of auger cast piles, concrete slabs, foundations, structural steel, roofing, and exterior walls, preparing the site for future growth.
Once the project reaches full capacity, the manufacturing facility will expand to approximately 700,000 square feet. DBK’s scope of work will scale up accordingly to support these expansions. When fully operational, the plant will become a key driver of industrial excellence in the region and provide valuable job opportunities to the North Florida community.
This new facility will be IKO’s eighth modern shingle production line in North America and the company’s first in Florida. Strategically located east of U.S. 301 at County Road 218, about 10 miles south of Interstate 10, the site is poised to contribute significantly to the local economy, initially employing over 100 people.
Joe Bajalia, president of DBK, expressed his appreciation for the collaboration: “We’re proud that IKO chose DBK to manage this project, and we look forward to continuing to work together with the design team, equipment suppliers, and other stakeholders. This strong partnership allows us to align the design and construction processes to deliver optimal solutions at every stage.”
A Local Economic Boost
The facility will initially employ about 100 people locally. These jobs are described as high-quality, high-wage employment opportunities. As production expands, employment could increase to 120 jobs with a third shift, and possibly up to 140 jobs with a fourth shift. The project is described as providing “generational opportunities” for Clay County residents.
Final Thoughts
This major investment by IKO not only underscores the company’s commitment to growth and innovation but also highlights the critical role of manufacturing in driving local economies. As the first IKO facility in Florida, the new campus will provide significant employment opportunities and contribute to the economic development of Clay County.
With the anticipated launch of its production lines in 2025, the Maxville site is poised to strengthen IKO’s North American operations while benefiting the broader community for years to come.
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