NORTH JACKSON — Aluminum manufacturer Shapes Unlimited celebrated its 30th anniversary Tuesday by cutting the ribbon on a new 80,000-square foot facility in the North Jackson Commerce Park.

The ceremony at 13001 Mahoning Ave. included speeches by CEO Doug Rende, developer Greg Toporcer of Top Property Holdings LLC and JobsOhio Vice President Terrance Slaybaugh, after which attendees toured the facility, which has 32-foot ceilings, eight loading docks and I-76 access. It is the first business in the 45-acre park envisioned by Toporcer at its 2023 groundbreaking.

The multimillion-dollar investment is set to streamline operations, expand capacity and fuel job growth in the Mahoning Valley.

Toporcer traced the park to a three-year vision for 500,000-square feet. Built speculatively, it drew Shapes Unlimited in May 2025. “This kind of building didn’t exist, 32-foot height clear ceilings Class A manufacturing space,” he said.

The location near Interstates 76 and 80 suits manufacturing, he said, targeting jobs beyond distribution. The firm plans one building yearly, including in Youngstown.

Rende likened the relocation to “having a child” after a year’s planning. “It’s incredibly gratifying,” he said. “To see it come to fruition and the faces of all the employees in a new environment, it gives them greater confidence that we’re moving in the right direction.”

Employees drive growth, Rende said, noting employees earn performance bonuses in addition to a good salary.

“If I can give them more opportunities and they’re able to earn more money, it’ll help us from a retention rate but also give them the opportunity to do what they need for their families,” he said.

The move unites operations from scattered Boardman buildings starting at 17,000 square feet in the late 1990s. Employee input and MAGNET consultants cut inefficiencies like multiple handling.

“Doug Rende does not have all the answers,” Rende said.

He said that cross-training creates “well-rounded” workers paid more for versatility.

A transplant, Rende saw the area as an “old rust belt” but now leads chamber housing efforts amid investments by Kimberly-Clark and Foxconn. “Why not do it here?” he said of global suppliers expanding in Youngstown and Warren.

The site aids recruitment after 50% growth in two years with new gear expanding aluminum capacity for building products. Younger staff innovate with AI for supply chains, he said.

Housing initiatives include low-interest loans and factory-built panels to cut costs and delays.

“The good news is Kimberly-Clark’s going to bring 1,000 new jobs,” Rende said. “The bad news is, where the heck are we going to house them?”

Rende talked about the outlook for the aluminum industry in 2026, calling it bullish despite a 500 million metric ton U.S. shortfall and tariffs raising costs.

“It was a fire, ready, aim, approach,” he said. Incentives could draw foreign firms to Ohio’s workforce and infrastructure.

With a $2 million state loan, Slaybaugh hailed JobsOhio’s program for funding 120 projects and $147 million, leveraging $2 billion for 22 million square feet. “We need more Gregs and Dougs,” he said of developers risking it all.

“This building is testimony to what we can do for the next 30,” Rende said.