Leitner-Poma of America, a Grand Junction-based manufacturer of cable transport systems, opened a new facility in Utah.

Leitner-Poma opened the campus in Tooele close to Salt Lake City as the manufacturer base for Skytrac, a subsidiary that focuses on the design, production, installation and service of fixed-grip ski lifts. At 130,000 square feet, the $27 million facility is the largest for Leitner-Poma in the United States. The new facility is expected to enable the company to increase production as well as expand staffing to up to 120 employees.

“The demand for this new facility is a reflection of the growth in the resort industry as well as the growing interest of urban planners to seek out new, alternative forms of clean transportation,” said Daren Cole, president and chief executive officer of Leitner-Poma. “This new facility represents a significant investment in the state of Utah, our industry and the talented people who’ll be manufacturing our products.”

In a video presentation, Utah Lt. Gov. Diedre Henderson hailed the new facility as well as efforts to develop the workforce. “A key partnership with nearby Tooele Technical College is already starting, intended to create hands-on learning opportunities for students,” Henderson said. “This partnership promises to help generate a regional manufacturing workforce to put Utah at the forefront of building safe, efficient and sustainable transportation solutions.”

The new facility also includes a 162-foot-tall wind turbine capable of generating 250 kilowatts of electricity — enough to meet the needs of the operation. The wind turbine was developed by Leitwind, an affiliate company of Leitner-Poma.

In addition to the new campus, Leitner-Poma also operates a nearly 100,000-square-foot facility in Grand Junction and recently purchased an additional 5 acres to expand operations there.

“These will be made in America products by hard-working local professionals,” Cole said. “We are doubling down on making 85 percent to 90 percent of our equipment right here in Utah and next door in Grand Junction.”