“I’m amazed at the economic help we’ve had here in Carlisle and Warren County,” said Oakley, a lifelong resident of Madison Twp. where he began the business in 1984.
The company’s former 30,000-square-foot building in Madison Twp. was destroyed by a fire in January 2011. There was concern at first about possible groundwater contamination from chemical solvents stored at the facility, but Oakley had three wells drilled to test the water under Environmental Protection Agency requirements and the results were clean.
The cause of the fire was ruled undetermined by the State Fire Marshal’s office and damages were estimated at $2.5 million.
“It’s just a blessing to get this thing headed in the right direction again,” Oakley said. “It was important for us to keep it local and I think it’s a big success that we were able to stay local.”
Mar-flex moved into a temporary location at 200 Industry Drive in Carlisle in May 2011 with the intention of building a new warehouse. Oakley is hoping to have the new facility ready to move into by Jan. 1, 2013.
“The building industry is starting to pick back up,” said Oakley, adding that the national company is affiliated with more than 30 manufacturing centers in Ohio making a variety of products. “This is good progress for us.”
Mar-flex manufactures drainage boards for foundations and focuses on green products for the building industry using recycled or reconstituted materials. It is considered a leader in above- and below-grade building envelope systems, according to its website.
“Any time you have economic development take place in your city it is exciting,” Carlisle Mayor Randy Winkler said after the groundbreaking ceremony. “I’m glad to see them here. It is a real boost for us.”
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