Governor's Office of Economic Development

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, October 10, 2001

For More Information Contact: Mary Lehecka Nelson, 773-5032

(Pierre) – Ten years after opening a manufacturing facility in South Dakota, Accurpress is moving its corporate headquarters from Vancouver, British Columbia to Rapid City, Commissioner Chris Braendlin, Governor’s Office of Economic Development, announced today.

"We are thrilled to have this first class company call South Dakota home," Braendlin said. "Company after company has made the move to South Dakota and then made the move again with new expansions throughout the state."

Accurpress, a manufacturer of hydraulic press brakes and shears, has four manufacturing plants in North America and a 40-dealer network throughout the continent. "A Rapid City location just makes sense geographically for the company’s headquarters," Braendlin said.

"A central location between Vancouver, Minnesota and Aberdeen was one of many compelling reasons for us to move headquarters to Rapid City," said Steve Hilton, Accurpress’ president. "The superb quality of life and climate will help us attract first-rate people, and the business and tax climate is unmatched in North America."

"We expect to have 40 people on board within the next three years," Hilton said. This will be a mix of hiring local residents and bringing people in from Vancouver.

The corporate headquarters will include a sales division, parts and distribution, a service center, and a research and development center for creating new products.

"This is the kind of project that provides management jobs, research and development opportunities for Tech graduates, and identifies Rapid City as a viable place in which to do business nationally and internationally," said Bob DeMersseman, president, Rapid City Area Economic Development Partnership.

The search for a new corporate headquarters site centered on Missoula, Montana, Calgary, Alberta, and Rapid City. "The welcome we received from Rapid City, in addition to all the other benefits of doing business in South Dakota, clinched the deal," Hilton said.

He expects the Aberdeen plant to benefit from the new headquarters in the state. "With the R&D center in Rapid City, there will be a natural overflow of work in new product manufacturing for the Aberdeen plant."