FROM OUR FRIENDS AT TACO (Dan H.)

DanHolohan

TACO BREAKS GROUND FOR EXPANSION TO ITS CRANSTON FACILITY


Cranston, RI, May 23, 2006 – Taco, Inc. broke ground recently for a major expansion to its manufacturing and corporate facility on Cranston Street. Late last year the HVAC equipment manufacturer purchased a one-acre lot from Edward Imperatore of Imperatore Crane Service, which is situated just adjacent to the Taco plant and directly on Cranston Street.

This is the first physical expansion of the Cranston facility since Taco first acquired it in 1954.

The groundbreaking event, complete with an excavator, took place at a ceremony attended by Taco president John Hazen White, Jr., RI Governor Donald Carcieri, Cranston Mayor Stephen Laffey and members of the Cranston City Council.

Taco’s expansion plans call for the construction of a 64,900 sq. ft. addition to the existing plant, which will serve as a warehouse for shipping and distribution of Taco products. In doing so, Taco will shift its inventory and some 20 employees from its present warehouse and distribution center on Wellington Avenue, also in Cranston, to the Cranston Street facility, bringing all Cranston Taco employees under one roof for the first time.

Taco has been leasing the Wellington Avenue facility since 1979.

“We’re very pleased to make this announcement,” said John White, Jr. “Bringing our warehouse and distribution functions inside our main facility makes excellent sense in terms of efficiency and cost savings. We’ve always been hemmed in here at this location, so the adjacent property represented the only opportunity we have had to expand and still remain under one roof.”

Taco acquired the plot from its long-time next-door neighbor, Imperatore Crane Service. Imperatore, a native of Cranston, started his steel erection and crane service with his brother Raymond in 1946, after returning from Navy service in World War II. Over the years, Imperatore served as a sub-contractor to all the major RI builders and participated in a multitude of building projects across the state. The company also worked extensively with the Navy at Quonset and in Newport.




Taco’s facility at 1160 Cranston Street was acquired in 1954 by John Hazen White, Sr., who then moved his plant operations from Providence. The building had been a trolley barn for the former United Transit Company (UTC), a forerunner of today’s RIPTA. Taco also operates a manufacturing facility in Fall River, MA.

Construction has commenced on the site and Taco expects to have the facility in operation by this fall.


Taco, Inc. is a leading developer and manufacturer of heating and air conditioning equipment and components. The company manufacturers a wide range of pumps, valves, tanks, electronic controls and hydronic system equipment for residential, commercial and industrial applications. In business since 1920, the family-held company employs 500 people in RI, MA and Canada.


Photo caption: Taco President John Hazen White, Jr. is congratulated by RI Governor Don Carcieri after breaking ground for the new addition to the Taco plant in Cranston, RI. Looking on (at right) is Cranston Mayor Steven Laffey.

John R. Hall

Johnny looks right at home

If it weren't for that snappy suit, I bet Johnny would love to be driving that bulldozer right now -- anything to ensure the job is done right!