Imation in Wahpeton to Expand Manufacturing Plant
Posted on December 14, 2001

BISMARCK, ND - Gov. John Hoeven today announced that Imation Corp., a worldwide manufacturer of computer storage technologies with a plant in Wahpeton, will expand its manufacturing facility. The company plans to add a new 100,000 square-foot building to its existing 240,000 square-foot site to increase production capacity for future storage formats.

The company has worked closely with the state Department of Commerce and the Wahpeton Community Development Corporation to help facilitate the expansion, according to Hoeven.

"Imation's success is a good example of why we have chosen to target advanced manufacturing in our economic-development strategy," Hoeven said. "Its success is a credit to a fine company, to state and local economic development agencies -- and especially to North Dakota's skilled and dedicated workforce."

Imation, Corp., a $1.2 billion company with sales in more than 60 countries, started its Wahpeton plant in 1977 with 13 employees. Today, the company employs over 700 in Wahpeton, and over 4,000 worldwide. Imation's Wahpeton plant was named as one of the top 14 manufacturing companies in North America and Europe by Industry Week magazine last year.

The company, which works closely with the North Dakota College of Science, is recognized for its high caliber workforce and the premium it puts on quality employees, according to Hoeven. North Dakota's outstanding work ethic and exceptional education system enable a company like Imation to grow, he said.

"Imation is the kind of partnership that joins a quality company and a quality workforce," Hoeven said. "It's the right mix for business and the right mix for North Dakota."

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For more information, contact Kathy Ibach or Don Canton
(701) 328-2200