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Morse Manufacturing begins new chapter in company history with move to Salina

Nathan Andrews, president of Morse Manufacturing, holds the scissors for the traditional ribbon cutting at a July 17 formal opening of Morse’s new plant at 103 Kuhn Road in the town of Salina. Several government and local business officials gathered at Morse’s new location for the event. Morse manufactures ergonomic barrel and drum-handling equipment. (ERIC REINHARDT / BJNN)

SALINA — Nate Andrews and his father, Robert, have had “many compelling offers over the years” from other states and countries to consider relocating Morse Manufacturing. “Nowhere else can we find the quality of employee that we have standing in the back of this room right now,” Nathan (Nate) Andrews, the firm’s president, said as […]

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SALINA — Nate Andrews and his father, Robert, have had “many compelling offers over the years” from other states and countries to consider relocating Morse Manufacturing.

“Nowhere else can we find the quality of employee that we have standing in the back of this room right now,” Nathan (Nate) Andrews, the firm’s president, said as Morse Manufacturing on July 17 formally opened the company’s new 120,000-square-foot facility at 103-105 Kuhn Road in the town of Salina.

Morse Manufacturing, which produces drum-handling equipment, had previously operated in a 35,000-square-foot building at 727 W. Manlius St. in the village of East Syracuse. It had been located there since 1953, Andrews told those gathered for the formal opening ceremony.

CBD Construction served as the construction manager and Brian Manthey was the architect on the project, Morse Manufacturing said.

The project cost $7.5 million, including renovations to the 120,000-square-foot building, site work, and landscaping, according to Onondaga County. Empire State Development is providing a $500,000 capital grant for the expansion project.

“We’re glad that we were able to provide some assistance to encourage you to grow here,” James Fayle, regional director of Empire State Development, said in his remarks at the formal-opening event.

Morse is a third-generation family business. It was founded locally in 1923.

“My grandfather, Ralph Andrews, joined the company in 1943 and eventually bought the business,” Nate Andrews said in his remarks at the event. “My grandfather had the foresight to realize there was a need in the market for industrial products that can handle drums.”

Ralph Andrews invented the product category drum-handling equipment, his grandson noted. As his remarks continued, Nate Andrews told the audience that his father, Robert, joined the firm in 1969. “He expanded the product offerings to more than 100 different variations of drum-handling equipment,” Andrews said of his father’s work with the company.

Morse Manufacturing says it has been known for decades as the “Specialist in Drum Handling.” In addition to its broad product line, the firm also offers customers a dealer support network.

Eric Reinhardt