Watson & Chalin Mfg Inc has completed the purchase of 37 acres in McKinney TX to build a new, 200,000-square-foot manufacturing plant and employ 50 more workers. The heavy-duty truck and trailer suspension system manufacturer has been operating in McKinney from two separate buildings totaling 112,000 square feet.
The manufacturer intends to invest $10 million in construction and automated equipment for its new building on US 380, just east of State Hwy 5. Duke Construction Inc will handle the project, and Watson & Chalin is hoping to to be moved operationally by January 2006.
The company has almost 300 employees, but the new plant will raise that to 350.
In return, McKinney's economic development corporation granted Watson & Chalin a $600,000, three-year “forgivable loan” to aid with infrastructure improvements.