Usalco Unveils New $17 Million Plant to Strengthen Western US Water Treatment Supply
Rancho Cucamonga, CA — Usalco, LLC has officially opened its latest production facility in Rancho Cucamonga, California, marking a major expansion in critical water treatment chemicals supply across Southern California and the western United States. The grand opening, held yesterday, introduces Usalco’s 27th manufacturing plant nationwide, with a targeted mission to better serve the region’s growing water treatment demands.
The new $17 million facility addresses a well-documented supply gap in Southern California, where rapid population growth and increasing water infrastructure pressure have strained existing chemical treatment providers. By localizing specialty coagulant production, Usalco aims to enhance supply chain reliability and responsiveness for municipal and industrial operators battling water scarcity and increasingly complex contaminant removal needs.
Significant Investment to Meet Urgent Water Treatment Needs
“The opening of our Rancho Cucamonga facility marks a meaningful milestone for Usalco and reinforces our long-term commitment to supporting water infrastructure in the Western United States,” said Ken Gayer, Usalco CEO. “Local manufacturing strengthens supply reliability for customers facing water scarcity and increasingly more difficult contaminant removal requirements.”
Located strategically to complement Usalco’s existing Modesto operations, the facility will manufacture specialty coagulants and offer customized treatment solutions closer to key customers. This proximity reduces shipping delays and provides a crucial technical partnership that helps utilities and industries improve treatment outcomes fast.
Expanding Production Footprint with Skilled Workforce
Since construction began in September 2025, the plant has created new jobs for a team of six skilled professionals specialized in chemical production and logistics. These employees will serve as a vital supply hub for water treatment customers across Southern California and nearby western states.
Terry Waldo, Usalco’s Chief Commercial Officer, highlighted the operational advantages: “This facility supports our customers by placing advanced treatment solutions closer to their location. Local production and technical partnership help utilities and industries improve treatment performance while maintaining efficient and reliable supply chains.”
Strategic Impact on Regional Water Security
Jason James, Usalco COO, noted that this expansion “strengthens our western manufacturing network and improves our ability to serve customers quickly and consistently. The team delivered this facility while maintaining the operating standards our customers expect.”
For Montana and other western states facing water scarcity challenges, strengthened chemical supply chains like Usalco’s new facility are vital in supporting public utilities and industrial users. Specialty coagulants are essential chemicals that help remove contaminants in treatment plants, underpinning safe drinking water and efficient wastewater management.
What’s Next?
With operations running actively, Usalco plans to leverage this new plant to meet rapidly evolving regulatory standards and technological demands in water treatment. Industry watchers will monitor how this investment influences regional supply stability and water quality improvements amid ongoing pressures from climate variability.
This development is a significant step forward in addressing America’s water infrastructure challenges by bringing advanced chemical manufacturing closer to the front lines of crucial resource management.
Montana Insider will continue reporting on water infrastructure developments impacting communities across Montana and the Western United States.
