Plumbing distributor sees growth in Reno

Viega LLC, a distributor of heating and plumbing supplies, expects to double its business in the next few years and it expects its new Reno operation will show similar growth.

The company, whose U.S. operations are headquartered at Wichita, Kan., opened a 135,000-square-foot distribution center in leased space at 12040 Moya Blvd. in Stead earlier this year. The building is owned by ProLogis.

The warehouse will employ 17 by early 2008, said Don Hafer, Viega's vice president of operations. But that employment figure is almost certain to increase.

"This company is growing very, very fast," Hafer says.

Headquartered in the German city of Attendorn, Viega entered the North American market in the late 1990s. It also operates distribution facilities at McPherson, Kan., and Merrimack, N.H.

The Reno distribution serves customers in the western third of the United States, where Viega's growth has been especially strong, Hafer said.

He said the company chose Reno for its western distribution hub because of the city's access to major western markets as well as the relatively low costs of doing business in Nevada.