An important cog in the economy of Westfield received some significant news earlier this month. Empire State Development announced that Renold Inc. at 100 Bourne St. will undergo a $2.975 million transformation to include a dedicated advanced manufacturing cell, optimizing the production of high-demand industrial couplings.

Renold designs and manufactures custom gear spindles, couplings and specialized gearing. Its products are used in industries ranging from cement and chocolate manufacturing to subway trains and power stations.

Specifically, the area facility produces a unique coupling used in electrical generators for large-scale data centers. These components eliminate vibrations to ensure the smooth transfer of electricity. Currently, the plant produces 15 of the units per week at maximum capacity. By integrating a new advanced manufacturing cell featuring Okuma machining centers, Renold will more than double its output to 40 couplings per week to meet surging demands from large natural gas generator manufacturers.

“For over a century, Renold Westfield has been a cornerstone of industrial manufacturing in Western New York, and this expansion ensures we remain at the forefront of engineering excellence,” said Shane Marcheson, group manager of Renold Westfield. “By integrating this new advanced manufacturing cell, we are efficiently scaling our output of the specialized couplings essential for today’s high-demand data infrastructure. We are deeply grateful to Empire State Development for their partnership, which helps us build on our legacy of innovation and continue investing in our local community.”

Officials said the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

Renold is a perfect example of what needs to happen consistently here. Often, the area aims to bring in new business.

In this case, an industry that has been in existence since the early 1900s is expanding with the assistance of state investment. That’s a winning combination that benefits New York, Chautauqua County and Westfield.