Sanger CA, November 30--Nov. 30--A fast-growing tile company has started construction of a 15,000-square-foot plant in Sanger that will manufacture granite countertops, according to the Fresno Bee.
Cal Custom Tile will employ 40 to 45 people at the plant in the new Kings River Technology Park.
Many of the employees will transfer from an existing plant in Fresno.
The company fabricates granite countertops for the Valley's burgeoning home-construction industry.
At about 4,000 square feet, the existing Fresno facility is too small to handle the increase in granite business, said Jeff Cline, fabrication manager.
More builders are installing granite as standard features in houses. As a result, production demands have jumped more than 60 percent, said Rick Berry, owner of Cal Custom.
Dan Spears, economic development coordinator for Sanger, said Cal Custom could quickly increase its presence in Sanger.
The Sanger operation is in addition to the company's 200-employee plant in Fresno, he said.
The company is the second manufacturer this month to break ground in the 78-acre business park, and city officials say more are expected.
City officials are in discussions with at least four other companies that could start construction within six months, said Mayor Sandra Neri.
Hundreds of new jobs have been added and hundreds of new homes are under construction in Sanger, which has become an attractive alternative to the higher-priced cities of Clovis and Fresno.
