COMANCO Attends the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for AGRU America’s Fernley 2 Pipe Plant
Fernley, Nevada – Last week, COMANCO President Mark Topp and Vice President of Administration Christine Topp attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening celebration for AGRU America’s new Fernley 2 Pipe Plant in Fernley, Nevada.
As a leading manufacturer of high-performance plastics, geosynthetics, and piping systems, AGRU America has played a significant role in supporting critical infrastructure, environmental protection, mining, water management, and industrial projects throughout North America. Since establishing its U.S. manufacturing presence in Fernley, Nevada, AGRU America has continued to expand its capabilities to meet the growing demand for innovative and sustainable piping solutions.
COMANCO is proud to have partnered with AGRU America since the company’s early years in the United States. Over the decades, AGRU’s world-class products have been utilized on numerous environmental construction and containment projects across the nation. This longstanding relationship reflects a shared commitment to quality, innovation, safety, and delivering lasting solutions for our clients.
Experiencing the Beauty of Nevada
The two-day event began with a day trip to beautiful Lake Tahoe, providing attendees the opportunity to experience one of the most breathtaking natural landscapes in the country. With clear skies, comfortable temperatures, and stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains, the weather could not have been more perfect. The excursion showcased the remarkable scenery connecting Nevada and California while allowing industry leaders, partners, and guests to network in a relaxed setting before the official grand opening ceremony.
Celebrating Growth and Innovation
The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together industry professionals, community leaders, government officials, and business partners to celebrate AGRU America’s continued investment in U.S. manufacturing.
Guest speakers included Fernley Mayor Neal E. McIntyre and Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, both of whom expressed their enthusiasm for the economic impact the new facility will have on the region. Their remarks highlighted the significant investment AGRU America is making in Nevada through job creation, manufacturing growth, and long-term infrastructure development. The new Fernley 2 Pipe Plant represents another important step in strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities while contributing to the continued growth of the Fernley community and the State of Nevada.
One of the event’s highlights was an engaging panel discussion titled “Building Water Security for America’s Future.” The discussion was moderated by Natasha Arguijo, Vice President of Piping Systems for AGRU America, and featured an impressive group of industry experts:
- Harvey Svetlik, P.E., Harvey Svetlik Consulting, LLC
- Peter Dyke, Executive Director, Alliance for PE Pipe
- Camille Rubeiz, P.E., F.ASCE, Vice President of Engineering, Plastics Pipe Institute
The panel explored the critical role that advanced piping systems play in supporting sustainable water infrastructure, protecting valuable resources, and meeting the growing water demands of communities across the United States.
An Inside Look at the Manufacturing Process
Following the panel discussion, attendees participated in a guided tour of the new Fernley 2 Pipe Plant. The tour provided a firsthand look at the advanced manufacturing processes and technology utilized to produce AGRU America’s industry-leading piping products.
The experience offered valuable insight into the precision, quality control, and innovation that are incorporated throughout every stage of production. Discussions throughout the tour reinforced the importance of collaboration between manufacturers, contractors, engineers, and owners as we work together to build a more sustainable future.
Building Relationships Beyond Business
Both evenings concluded with receptions that featured great food, entertainment, music, networking opportunities, and even a bit of magic. These events provided attendees an opportunity to strengthen industry relationships, exchange ideas, and celebrate AGRU America’s latest milestone.
COMANCO extends its sincere appreciation to AGRU America, Alois Gruber, his sons, the Gruber family shareholders, and AGRU President and CEO Robert Johnson for their outstanding hospitality throughout the event. It was inspiring to see multiple generations of the Gruber family in attendance, celebrating the continued growth of the company they have helped build into a global leader in geosynthetics and piping solutions. Their vision, entrepreneurial spirit, and long-term commitment to innovation have driven AGRU America’s remarkable success in the United States, creating jobs, expanding domestic manufacturing capabilities, and supporting critical infrastructure projects across the country. The warmth and generosity shown by the Gruber family and AGRU team made this event especially memorable and a true celebration of achievement, partnership, and future growth.
We are honored to be part of AGRU America’s journey and grateful for the longstanding relationship our organizations have built over the years. Congratulations to AGRU America on the successful opening of the Fernley 2 Pipe Plant. We wish the entire AGRU team continued growth, innovation, and success as this new facility helps shape the future of water infrastructure, environmental protection, and manufacturing excellence across North America.
SAFETY ★ QUALITY ★ SERVICE
COMANCO is an environmental, commercial, and civil construction company specializing in constructing containment facilities.
Strategic industry partnerships and advanced piping solutions are essential to building sustainable water infrastructure and high-performance environmental containment systems. COMANCO leverages decades of environmental construction experience alongside world-class manufacturing partners to deliver lasting quality, safety, and operational excellence. Contact COMANCO today to discuss your next civil or environmental containment project.
📍 4301 Sterling Commerce Dr, Plant City, FL 33566
📞 (813) 988-8829
🌐 www.comanco.com