Hickory Springs breaks ground for new foam tech lab

Hickory Springs Manufacturing Co. recently broke ground for a new, 10,000-square-foot foam tech lab in Conover, N.C.

The $1.5 million facility will expand current operations at the Hickory Springs Conover foam complex and enhance the company’s ability to formulate foams, incorporating new pilot lines and improved testing capabilities. Hickory Springs President and CEO Dave Colburn, along with Dwayne Welch, executive vice president, chief marketing and innovation officer, and Bobby Bush, senior vice president, foam technology, hosted the April 19 event at 1115 Farrington St. in Conover.

“This groundbreaking and the construction that begins today is a tangible illustration of the increased emphasis Hickory Springs is placing on research and innovation as the company moves forward,” said Colburn. “It also supports the transition currently underway at Hickory Springs, from being a components supplier to a global manufacturer of integrated solutions and components, and demonstrates the company’s continued investment in people, facilities and technologies that is so critical to our success.”

A number of community leaders joined the Hickory Springs leadership team, including Conover Mayor Lee Moritz, Jr., city Manager Donald Duncan, Jr., president of the Catawba County Economic Development Corp. Scott Millar and president of the Catawba County Chamber of Commerce Danny Hearn.