Fulton County scores plant
for building custom engine
By DAVID J. COEHRS
Expositor Features Editor
A revolutionary engine poised to change the face of the automotive industry will be manufactured in Wauseon, with production beginning as soon as the fourth quarter of 2009.
However, creator Doug Pelmear won't guarantee that Fulton County will remain the home base.
Built exclusively for E85-fueled cars, the custom engine will be produced in an approximately 68,000 square-foot, $450,000 facility next to Fulton Industries at 135 Linfoot St. Phases One and Two will eventually create up to 55 jobs.
Pelmear selected the Fulton County site over potential locations in Williams County because it doesn't require major construction.
"Where we were looking at every place, we were going to have to build," he said.. "The facility already fits in the criteria. I can just turn the light switch on and go to work."
The V-8, 400-horsepower engine gets over 100 miles per gallon on E85, an ethanol-based fuel. It is the only engine in the nation being manufactured solely for E85 fuel. Pelmear expects 500 to be produced by the end of this year.
The Wauseon facility will be used for both manufacturing and research and development. Some personnel have already been pre-qualified for positions. However, Pelmear is still looking for employees with manufacturing backgrounds and skills in tooling and engineering.
The June 1 grand opening of administrative offices from 10 a.m. to noon will feature a 1986 Mustang powered by Pelmear's engine. It will also showcase a mock-up of the Revenge Designs Verde, a Decatur, Ind.-based specialty sports car to be manufactured with the engine.
The manufacturing side of the business is expected to open in 30 to 60 days.
But because Pelmear isn't certain where the future of his engine lies, he refused to accept tax incentives the city offered for locating there.
"I can't be tied down at this point. I don't want to promise something I may not be able to do," he said. "I'm not going to say that I'll be in Wauseon forever."
Another plant is tentatively scheduled to be built in about 18 months along State Route 24, in either Henry County or Defiance County. The Wauseon facility will remain open.
A drag racer, Pelmear hopes to fund his business with $7.5 million to be awarded in the Progressive Automotive X cross-country race being held next year. His Mustang team will join 117 others in his category in pursuit of the prize.
His Plan B will involve applying for $40 million in start-up stimulus money.
Pelmear's engine recently won the Green Zone Award at the Special Equipment Manufacturers Association convention in Las Vegas. Design patents are pending in the U.S., and international patents are forthcoming.
"The U.S. needs these engines," he said. "It's a cleaner type of fuel, so the engine is going to be cleaner. The dirt isn't there."
Mayor Jerry Dehnbostel said Pelmear's project has the potential to help the entire nation.
"I'm just really proud of the fact that Doug has the faith in Wauseon to bring his project here," he said.
And while he understands that no business can guarantee to remain in its original location, "we are going to do our best to make Wauseon the place he wants to stay," the mayor said.
Peter Collorafi, owner and CEO of Revenge Designs, said Pelmear's engine will "totally shake up" the automotive industry.
"It's the fact that we don't have to rely on foreign fuel with this design.That puts food back on the table," Collorafi said. "This is going to happen this year. It's going to be fantastic."
.Pelmear said he's in talks with two other well-known specialty car makers about his engine, but right now he wants to get his partnership with Revenge Designs up and running.
"This is where we're going, and this is how we're planning on getting there," he said.
Resumes can be sent to his Napoleon business, Horse Power Sales.net, Inc. at 2611 N. Scott St., Napoleon, Ohio 43545.
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