Dubuque Manufacturer Considers Multi-Million-Dollar Expansion Project

According to a press release from the Greater Dubuque Development Corporation, a local Dubuque manufacturer is considering a multi-million-dollar expansion in the Dubuque community.

Universal Tank & Fabrication, a manufacturer based in Dubuque, Iowa, has announced plans for a significant expansion of its operations. The company specializes in creating pressure vessels, tanks, and other custom fabrications for industries across North America. Established in 2007, Universal Tank & Fabrication serves a wide range of markets, including municipal and industrial water systems, air, energy (especially biofuels), pharmaceuticals, and more.

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This planned expansion is set to bring major benefits to the Dubuque community, with a proposed investment of $4,065,000 and the addition of 15 high-quality jobs. The company’s facility, located in the Dubuque Industrial Center West, would gain a new 28,000-square-foot building dedicated to the finishing stages of production, such as blasting, painting, and assembly. This new space will allow Universal Tank & Fabrication to work on several projects at once, helping them to meet growing customer demand.

“Universal Tank & Fabrication embodies the type of mid-sized manufacturer that thrives in Dubuque County. A company that embodies homegrown roots, hardworking values, and a commitment to continual innovation and ingenuity as it reaches and expands into growth markets.”

-Jason White, Greater Dubuque Development’s Vice President of Business Services

To make this expansion a reality, Universal Tank & Fabrication is working through a due diligence process. The project’s success depends on support from the City of Dubuque, the Iowa Economic Development Authority, and other government entities. The Dubuque City Council is expected to consider both a resolution of support for the company’s state assistance application and a Development Agreement with Tax Increment Financing (TIF) support, which would provide financial backing for the project.

The new facility would feature state-of-the-art blast and paint booths, specifically designed to boost efficiency. These specialized booths will allow for faster and more diverse product handling, improving throughput and making it possible for the company to offer coating services to other local manufacturers. This addition will help keep more work within Iowa, adding further economic value to the region. The expanded space will also provide more storage and “lay down” room, ensuring the company can handle a larger volume of projects simultaneously and increase its overall manufacturing capacity.

With this expansion, Universal Tank & Fabrication aims to streamline its production processes by separating its blasting, painting, and assembly operations from the initial fabrication work. This separation is expected to improve workflow and reduce bottlenecks, enabling the company to operate more efficiently and respond to market demands more quickly.

“We are thankful for the support of the greater Dubuque community, State of Iowa, contractors, customers, and our loyal employees, who enable our growth. Pressure vessels and tanks will remain our primary focus, but now we can reach and explore new fabrication markets.”

-Dan Davis, President of Universal Tank & Fabrication

The project’s general contractor is Gronen, a local firm known for its work in the area. Universal Tank & Fabrication is optimistic that with the support of Dubuque’s community, the state of Iowa, and its customers and employees, this expansion will allow it to reach new markets while remaining focused on its core products: pressure vessels and tanks. Overall, this expansion represents promising job growth, increased manufacturing capacity, and economic support for local industries.