By Michael Thompson, Richmond BizSense
For its first foothold on the East Coast, an Arizona-based manufacturer has landed in Chesterfield County.
Fajon Turbine Parts & Repairs plans to begin operations this month at 8310 Shell Road just off Interstate 95 in Chesterfield County. The steam and gas turbine replacement parts and service company has leased the 43,210-square-foot building.
CEO and president Jerry Booden said Fajon’s expansion to the East Coast should help the Phoenix-based company grow with greater access to different markets.
“Richmond proved to be the best option available because of the availability of similar industries to ours,” Booden said. “It’s fairly centrally located from an interstate perspective. It has great port access, which I hope to utilize.”
Booden described Fajon as a small, independent company that repairs and manufactures replacement parts for pumps, compressors and turbines. Some examples of the parts Fajon makes are gaskets, nozzles, and valve covers. Booden’s stepfather, John Farrell, launched the company that would lead to Fajon’s forming in 1983. Booden took over the business in 1998 after Farrell passed in 1996.
Booden said Fajon works with mostly U.S.-based institutional refineries and independent utility companies like Duke Energy. He said Fajon will be fully operational by September. He wouldn’t discuss how much it cost to move to Richmond.
Fajon’s new space was formerly home to Magellan Systems and was equipped appropriately for its new tenant, Booden said. Dawn F. Griggs of Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer handled the lease negotiations for Fajon’s new space.
Fajon will use the Chesterfield site to do repairs and manufacture renewal parts. Fajon has 20 full-time employees at its Arizona site. It will look to hire between 25 and 30 workers for its Richmond facility. Booden, a Williamsburg resident, said he has hired a manager to lead the Richmond expansion.
“I think there are better market opportunities on this side of the country,” Booden said. “I like the infrastructure that’s available in the area.”