On Monday, the Ellicott Town Board will be hosting a public hearing at 6 p.m. on a state Community Development Block Grant Program grant to support the expansion project at Bush, located at One Mason Drive.

Mike Evans, Bush CEO, told The Post-Journal the expansion project will be to increase production capabilities and to modernize factory equipment.

“It will help the factory in the U.S. be more competitive against other U.S. companies and those overseas,” he said. “We are going to add some panel production lines that make smaller products more efficiently.”

The total project cost for the expansion is being estimated at $2.9 million, with the state funding up to $735,000. If approved, Evans said Bush would receive a $500,000 grant and a $235,000 loan at a favorable interest rate for three years.

Bush Industries is planning a $2.9 million expansion project to improve its equipment and infrastructure. Submitted photo

Shawn Lohnes, Bush plant operations, said that $2.1 million will be invested in new equipment and $875,000 will be for new facility infrastructure. Evans said the state will announce in April if Bush receives the state funding, with the project to start immediately after. Even if the company doesn’t receive the state funding, Evans said the expansion project will still take place, with possible modifications to the original plan.

“We will try and continue to grow the facility either way,” he said.

Bush is also receiving assistance from Empire State Development. Evans said the company was awarded an incentive to assist the company with its transition to becoming an e-commerce, ship-on-demand business by providing up to $1.4 million through tax credits over 10 years for the purchase of equipment, improved IT infrastructure and building upgrades through the Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit Program in exchange for a job creation commitment of 163 jobs.

Evans said one of the main reasons Bush officials are trying to increase production at the Jamestown factory is because of the significant increase in sales during the last year. He said since merging with the Canadian furniture firm Bestar last year, combined sales for both companies has increased 30% in 2020.

“(Bush is) over 60 years old and (Bestar is) over 70 years old,” he said. “We’re a similar industry. We have similar challenges and struggles. We’ve both turned our attention to e-commerce and we’ve had success. This year, despite the plant being closed for a month and a half and supply chain disruptions, combined we’re up over 30% during a difficult year.”

Evans said Bush has ramped up production and hired quite a few people last year. He said since July, the Jamestown plant has added 86 workers, with another 50 to be added once the expansion project is completed. He added even by adding more people, Bush is still having problems keeping up with market demand.

“It’s a problem, but it’s a good problem to have,” he said. “The work at home people has fueled a lot of growth for us. The pandemic is hurting demand for some and increasing the demand for others. We happen to be one of the industries where demand remained remarkably strong.”

Combined with the distribution center in Erie, Pa., Evans said Bush has 527 employees, which has increased from 324 in the last three years. Angie Turner, Bush Industries human resources director, said Bush is here for the longterm and is looking to add full-time positions, which includes a strong incentive package like a bonus program. For more information, visit bush.co/careers.

Bush Industries manufactures and distributes case goods and ready-to-assemble furniture for the commercial and residential office and home. The company operates the Bush Business Furniture (BBF), Bush Furniture and Kathy Ireland® office and home brands, manufacturing commercial and home office and seating and home entertainment, living, bedroom and storage solutions and more.

Founded in 1959, the company’s corporate headquarters and U.S. manufacturing operations are located in Jamestown, with additional facilities on the east and west coasts and in China.