flexi USA
What: Distributor of original German-made retractable dog leashes
Future location: 8494 Firebird Drive, West Chester Twp.
President: Ulrich Wuebker
Website: flexiusa.com
CINCINNATI — flexi USA Inc. is packing its boxes for a move to West Chester Twp. at the end of the month.
flexi USA is an American distributor of retractable dog leashes made by a German company of the same flexi name, the original maker of “freedom on the leash,” said Ulrich Wuebker, president of flexi USA.
The sole U.S. distributor of the product has moved the German imports to retail shelves across the country from its Cincinnati location for the past 20 years. But when it came time to renew the lease, Wuebker chose to build. Construction of the more than 51,000-square-foot, roughly $5 million facility started in June.
“We have grown basically every year,” Wuebker said. “This time is the first time people in the pet trade really felt the economy.”
flexi USA first came to Cincinnati from Milwaukee in 1990. There are roughly 20 employees. Wuebker, once an employee of the German manufacturer, bought the company in 2005.
The new location is 8494 Firebird Drive.
“That was the largest commercial building in 2010 that was started and completed,” said Barb Wilson, a spokeswoman for West Chester Twp.
A permit was issued July of last year for a larger Holiday Inn hotel that has yet to start construction, Wilson said.
Wuebker said no major hiring will be conducted for the move to Butler County. What Wuebker said the company does have in the works are personalized dog leashes with custom decals printed here and marketing pushes of its trademark dog.
flexi USA revenues were flat in the recession, but it stayed profitable, he said.
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2551 or clevingston@coxohio.com.
About the Author