CAS-MI plans to expand laboratory space in Ypsilanti

Wednesday, May 20, 2009 | Source: Concentrate

Laboratory expansion projects in Michigan usually carry city names, like Ann Arbor, Detroit and Kalamazoo. Add Ypsilanti to that illustrious list now that CAS-MI Laboratories is expanding its facilities there,

The independent testing laboratory is spending $3.5 million on an 11,000-square-foot facility in Ypsilanti Township and turning it into its new Innovation Center. A $1.2 million state tax credit over the next 10 year helped entice CAS-MI to create the new space. Ypsi won out over both Ann Arbor and Livonia.

"We have strong roots with the Ypsilanti community," says Dave Riggs, president of CAS-MI. "There are a lot of available buildings and research space in Ypsilanti."

CAS-MI's new Innovation Center will serve as a place where entrepreneurs and established companies can create and commercialize new specialty chemical products. It's already working with Idea Paint to create a dry erase covering that can be applied to any surface just like regular wall paint.

CAS-MI specializes in paints and coatings, plastics and polymers, and adhesives and sealants. The company has been affiliated with Ypsilanti and Eastern Michigan University since the 1970s. Most of its eight employees are from EMU.

The company has added three new jobs so far this year and expects to add five more by the end of the year. Another 10 employees should be on board by the end of next year. CAS-MI is aiming for a staff of 50 people by 2014.

Source: Dave Riggs, president of CAS-MI
Writer: Jon Zemke