INglass Italian-based manufacturing company breaks ground on first U.S. facility

August 22, 2014

INglass Italian-based manufacturing company breaks ground on first U.S. facility

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INglass, an Italian-based manufacturing corporation with existing facilities in Italy and China, broke ground this week on their first United States facility. Situated at 920 74th Street SW in Byron Center, the new location will house INglass’s HRSflow division, manufacturing hot runner systems for plastic injection molding.

About the project

The new, 45,000-square-foot facility marks the first phase of construction. The facility is designed to accommodate future expansion, in line with INglass’s business growth projections. It will feature significant roof windows and natural daylighting and will also include thickened concrete floors throughout, topped with epoxy resin and accommodating a flexible manufacturing layout.

The project is scheduled through the winter months, with a projected construction completion date of April 2015. Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. (O-A-K), West Michigan-based firm, is providing architectural design and construction services for the new facility, with engineering design partners from Century A&E.

Local impact

According to a statement released by The Right Place in April, the facility will employ 109 people over the next four years. Other West Michigan partners in the project include Real Estate Broker, NAI Wisinski.

“In the following years, this decision will lead the company to a growth equal or greater to the one that we achieved in the past. Grand Rapids in particular was chosen due its strategic position for the plastic injection market,” stated Maurizio Bazzo, President of INglass group.

The company chose to open this new workshop in Michigan in order to be a worldwide hot runner systems supplier present in Europe, Asia and America able to supply its customers all around the world. INglass-HRSflow wants to enable its customers to reduce their time-to-market and improve their overall operating efficiency.

Considering the successful experience in China, with the production plant built in Hangzhou in 2009, the company is going to employ the same machinery and quality standards compared to the Italian headquarters, assuring the best quality of its operational and management processes wherever they are located.

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O’Donnell brings more than 20 years of experience in communications, marketing, and community engagement in Southwest Florida. In his role at O‑A‑K, he leads storytelling, brand strategy, and community outreach efforts, helping connect the company’s projects and people with the communities they serve.

His involvement with the Chamber extends beyond board service. O’Donnell currently serves on the Chamber’s Education Committee and has been a visible advocate for student achievement, acting as emcee for the 33rd Annual Cape Coral Chamber Excellence in Education Awards in 2025 and returning in May 2026. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship Fund, supporting local students in pursuing higher education.

In addition to his Chamber leadership, O’Donnell has played an active role in regional development and professional organizations. He previously served on the management committee for ULI Southwest Florida and co-chaired its Communications Committee, helping shape conversations around smart growth and community development across the region. He is a former member of The News-Press/Naples News Editorial Board, the founder and former chair of The News-Press Young Professionals Advisory Board and a Leadership SWFL and Leadership Cape Coral alumni.

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Looker brings more than 20 years of marketing, business development, and client-focused experience in the Southwest Florida architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. In her new role, she will lead growth initiatives and expand O‑A‑K’s presence in the Collier County market, with a focus on cultivating long-term relationships and new opportunities across sectors including education, healthcare, aviation, government, and private development.

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Looker holds a Master of Business Administration from Florida Gulf Coast University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Florida’s Coggin College of Business. She is actively involved in the Collier Building Industry Foundation, the Collier County Community Land Trust, and Urban Land Institute Southwest Florida, reflecting her commitment to responsible growth and community building.

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