HOLLAND — Record growth in 2003 and 2004 for EBW Electronics has resulted in the company's move to a new 18,000-square-feet building, double the size of the company’s old facility.

EBW Electronics is a privately held and locally owned company founded by Leo LeBlanc. The company started supplying the office furniture industry before expanding to automotive and industrial original equipment manufacturer clients.  The workforce at EBW Electronics has jumped from two in 1992 to 28 employees, many of them computer machine operators and general assembly workers.

The manufacturer of printed circuit boards, turnkey assemblies and fluorescent ballast has moved into the HEDCOR (Holland Economic Development Corporation) industrial park on Ransom Street in Holland Charter Township.

EBW Electronics' new facility includes a large, one-room layout that will be much more efficient for manufacturing, according to Cory Steeby, EBW President Cory Steeby.  The state-of-the-art facility for electronics manufacturing will include an ESD conductive tile floor that helps control static.

Diversification and more business with both established customers and new customers have fueled the company's “pretty nice growth" over the past several years, Steeby said. Engineering and design services offered to its range of office furniture, automotive and industrial clients — including about 12 substantial clients — have lifted the company.  "Our experience in West Michigan has been very good."

Company success can be attributed to a customer focus and being very cost conscious, Steeby stated. The company is unique in its industry in that engineering services are offered to support a customer's product development efforts. This can result in higher quality, better designs and products that are easier to manufacture.  The company also has its own proprietary products such as fluorescent ballast for the lighting industry.

EBW Director of Sales Mark Fluga said the company's business model establishes a "virtual division." Through the model EBW Electronics doesn't just serve as a supplier, but as a partner with its clients. Clients have more control over quality and the design process. Giving clients access and participation in engineering support, material costs, and shared cost models that are agreed to jointly, results in more profits for customers, according to Fluga.

The company has been in business for 12 years and has always been located in Holland Township. The company will take the tax abatements they have received from Holland Charter Township to the new location.  Steeby said EBW wanted to remain in the Holland area in part because of its good employee base.