Ajax leased 30,162 square feet of space at 4646 S. Overland Drive this past May, see Real Estate Daily News May 29th . The full expansion over five years will add 20 jobs, primarily in operations and manufacturing, with an economic impact of $22 million.
Ajax offers a wide variety of manufacturing services, including progressive metal stamping, sheet metal fabrication, fiber laser cutting, press brake forming, CNC turret punching, robotic welding, finishing, assembly, and kitting. They serve various industries, including heating and ventilation, medical devices, transportation, architecture, power generation, engineered products, and consumer goods.
Based in Minneapolis, Minn., the company began looking at additional manufacturing sites to expand production capacity. The selection of Tucson provided an opportunity to serve customers in the Southwest. Ajax also operates a plant in Raleigh, NC, which opened in 2021.
“Tucson checked all the boxes for us,” said Ajax President Kent Djubek. “Proximity to our customers, access to raw materials, good transportation infrastructure, and a superior technical workforce. We’re especially looking forward to welcoming colleagues on board from the University of Arizona and Pima Community College.”
Gordon Wagner from NAI Horizon’s Tucson Office handled the sale and leasing negotiations, and the buyer had brokers in Minnesota facilitating the sale.
“Ajax’s decision to expand their operations to Tucson/Pima County is good news for Southern Arizona’s economy,” said Rex Scott, District 1 supervisor and chair of the Pima County Board of Supervisors. “Pima County has a lot to offer businesses, from a pro-business environment to a talented workforce and exceptional quality of life, and we’re glad to have companies like Ajax bringing more jobs and investment to our region.”
“The decision by Ajax to expand its operations in Southern Arizona, including investments in the latest robotics, sustainability, machinery, and software applications, really validates that our position as an advanced manufacturing center is strong and growing,” said Joe Snell, president and CEO of Sun Corridor Inc. “Ajax is an incredible company whose presence benefits us greatly.”