FALCONER -A manufacturer is moving out of Chautauqua County en route to Buffalo.

On Monday, Power Drives Inc. announced that manufacturing operations in Falconer are moving to a facility at 801 Exchange St. in Buffalo. The move, according to the company, is part of a long-term strategic plan that allows for future growth and ensures its presence in New York.

The move is expected to take place this summer as PDI will phase out operations at its Falconer facility, located at 2148 Allen Street Ext. The transfer of production to the Buffalo plant is expected to take up to three months.

Power Drives Inc. designs and manufactures custom-engineered hose and tube assemblies for original equipment manufacturers and engineered systems for locomotives and other mobile equipment.

“We did our best to maximize the space available to us and we explored options to purchase additional property that would have allowed us to expand our current manufacturing facility in Falconer,” said Louis Panzica, president and CEO of PDI. “We ultimately reached the decision we needed a larger, more modern building capable of handling the growth we expect to achieve over the next several years.”

According to Panzica, the company searched throughout Western New York, including Chautauqua County. The company also looked in Erie, Pa. for a larger manufacturing facility conducive to the type of work it does and one that would allow for continued expansion.

“The building we purchased in Buffalo fulfilled all of our requirements and we look forward to having a large segment of our manufacturing and administrative operations under one roof, maximizing efficiencies and communications,” Panzica said.

About two-thirds of the 98 employees at the Falconer facility will have the opportunity to transfer to Buffalo, according to the company. Panzica met with Falconer employees Monday to relay the news. Panzica said they’re trying to make the transition easier by providing employees with placement opportunities in Buffalo or with other local companies.

Panzica said the company will begin to accept applications and conduct interviews for a variety of positions at its new Buffalo facility.

Headquartered in Buffalo, Power Drives Inc. was founded in 1946. PDI designed and patented its own proprietary line of idle reduction systems called “Powerhouse” for the locomotive market. PDI also distributes a wide range of hydraulic, pneumatic and electromechanical components for fluid conveyance, motion control and power transmission applications through stocking locations and B2B retail locations. Additionally, PDI has a facility in Changshu, China.

Power Drives Inc. is the second manufacturer with operations in the county to leave this year. In February, Keywell Metals LLC made the decision to mothball its facility, located at 1873 Lyndon Blvd., due to a decline in market conditions. Forty individuals were employed at the facility.