A longtime Lansing-based manufacturer and distributors of premium flavorings and essential oils is expanding for the third time to support the company's continued growth in the 21
st century.
LorAnn Oils will stay close to home and add two, single-story additions to the existing building at Aurelius Road. The first structure will entail the construction of a 3,200- square foot addition to the northwest portion of the existing warehouse space. The second will entail the construction of a 3,784-square foot addition to the east portion of the existing office space. The company also acquired a .75-acre parcel to the west of their property to expand parking and construct a new storm-water retention basin.
Founded in 1962 by Okemos pharmacist O.K. Grettenberger, LorAnn Oils originally bottled and distributed about 10 core essential oils like peppermint and cloves to pharmacies. Over the years, the business expanded to sell to a variety of retailers, manufacturers, health practitioners and home consumers in nearly 40 countries.
The company has undergone two previous expansions in south Lansing. The expansions were first approved in 2005 by the City of Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, and consisted of a brownfield plan to support the company's continued growth.
"We've simply outgrown our current facilities and this addition will allow us to continue to operate in Lansing without moving," says John Grettenberger, CEO of LorAnn Oils. "The brownfield support helps us justify the purchase and necessary improvements of additional property directly behind LorAnn. Moreover, moving much of our parking behind our building should significantly enhance the street-side appearance of our expanded building."
In early 2017, the City approved an 11-year extension of the original brownfield, which supports the newest expansion. The total project is estimated to cost $1,542,000 and will create about nine new full-time jobs.
"It's a great feeling to be able to help a family-owned Lansing business stay true to its roots, while improving on the region and south Lansing," says Bob Trezise, president and CEO of the Lansing Area Economic Partnership. "LorAnn Oils is an internationally-respected producer and distributor of high-quality specialty flavorings, and this expansion emphasizes that the global mindset of our region is going strong."
Source: Victoria Meadow, Marketing, Communications and Talent Director, LEAP
Writer: Ann Kammerer, News Editor
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