Charles Owen & Co. will lease former FDB building

Charles Owen & Company, Ltd., a manufacturer of equestrian safety equipment based in Wrexham, North Wales, will move its distribution center to the "FDB building" in the Lincoln County Business Park on Old Petersburg Road. The company has agreed to cover the cost of renovating the 20,000-square-foot building.

Charles Owen & Company, Ltd., a manufacturer of equestrian safety equipment based in Wrexham, North Wales, has announced that it will move its distribution center to the building formerly occupied by FDB, Inc. and later, Plastic Works in the Lincoln County Business Park on Old Petersburg Road.

The announcement was made Friday, June 1, by Alana Burke, executive director of the Lincoln County Development Authority.

Initially, it was agreed that the company would operate out of a warehouse on the Augusta Highway until the development authority could construct an 18,000-square-foot facility at the business park. The business would then lease the building from the development authority.

But once the company heard the FDB building was vacant, it decided to pursue that option instead.

"Since the distribution center has been in operation in Lincoln County, the company's volume of business has increased," said Burke. "So in order to save time, the company chose to sign a lease/purchase agreement for the FDB building."

Charles Owen & Company signed a 10-year lease, with payments to the development authority of approximately $1,900 a month. In addition, the company will cover the cost of refurbishing the facility.

According to Burke, "It's always great to put someone in a vacant building even though we would have loved to have seen Charles Owen & Company build a new facility. However, this worked out better for Mr. Burek (Roy Burek, owner of the company and grandson of its founder) due to time constraints and his growing business. It will give him the space he needs quickly.

"We are looking forward to Mr. Burek getting settled in at the business park and creating more jobs for the people of the county," she continued.

It is anticipated that the business will provide jobs for up to 20 people in the first two years.

Known for its strict quality control practices, Charles Owen & Company specializes in safety helmets with markets in Canada, Ireland, Scandinavia, Germany, Italy, Australia, and now, the United States.

Established in 1911 by Charles Owen, the company's first product was pith helmets for the army. Soon, the company diversified into helmets for motorcycle racing. But it was not until 1957, when a family member starting riding, that the company made its first riding helmet. The resulting prototype so impressed the riding schools that the future direction of the company was crystal clear from that time forward.

Concerning the lot that would have been occupied by Charles Owen & Company, the site prep has almost reached completion, noted Burke. "We are looking forward to marketing this lot and the rest of the park to other projects."

In closing, the executive director of the development authority pointed out that within the last two to three years, more projects than ever have located in Lincoln County. "The time is right for Lincoln County to grow. Each business or industry that locates here will provide jobs for the people of this community. The future holds infinite possibilities."