Kelley Beekeeping Celebrates Grand Opening of Clarkson Expansion

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held to commemorate the occasion, drawing several state and local officials to attend.  Representing a $7.5 million investment, the expansion is expected to create 50 additional jobs in Grayson County. Having established roots in Clarkson more than 60 years ago, Kelley Beekeeping currently employs more than 100 employees and holds a longstanding commitment to the local economy.

Gray Construction completed the 81,925 s.f. expansion, providing design-build services.

Established in 1924, Kelley Beekeping manufactures more than 3,000 beekeeping products including specialty supplies such as honey extraction equipment, protective clothing and hive kits, and a variety of live bees.

“We at Frandsen Corporation are extremely excited to be a part of the legacy that Walter T. Kelley started over 90 years ago, and will continue building on this for many more years to come,” said Dan Ferrise, chief operating officer, Frandsen Corporation.

In addition to accommodating Kelley Beekeeping’s continued growth, the new facility combines all business operations under one roof.  A new retail store, spanning 8,000 s.f., now operates with extended store hours—from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.—accommodating the busy schedules of beekeepers. Digital media components have also been incorporated within the store, offering shoppers a heightened educational experience.  Honey House services are also now available.

Today’s grand opening coincides with Grayson County’s 22^nd annual HoneyFest held Sept. 21-24.  The event, which is the state’s official honey festival, celebrates the community’s ties to the beekeeping industry and draws thousands of people to attend each year.

About Kelley Beekeeping

Kelley Beekeeping was founded in 1924 by Walter T. Kelley. For more than 90 years, Kelley Beekeeping has been manufacturing high quality beekeeping equipment worldwide with exceptional value and legendary customer service. Kelley Beekeeping manufactures more than 3,000 beekeeping products including a variety of specialty supplies like woodenware units for keeping hives, protective clothing, honey extraction equipment and a range of bees.

About Gray Construction

Gray Construction, is a nationally ranked engineering, architecture and construction firm with over 56 years of experience in manufacturing, automotive, food and beverage, distribution, hospitality and retail facility construction. Currently, Gray has several large projects that are underway or recently completed including: a Mercedes-Benz manufacturing facility in Vance, Ala.; a fresh pork processing facility in Coldwater, Michigan for Clemens Food Group; a specialty pet food kitchen and distribution center for Champion Petfoods in Auburn, Ky.; a utility vehicle manufacturing facility for Kubota Manufacturing of America Corporation in Gainesville, Ga.;  an expansion to Wrigley’s Yorkville, Ill. campus; and a manufacturing facility for Weber Metals in Paramount, Calif.

If you have manufacturing plant construction needs, please contact Phil Seale, executive vice president, manufacturing/food & beverage markets at pseale@gray.com. Or, contact Jeff Bischoff, executive vice president, business development at jbischoff@gray.com.