May 19--You might think Intersystems Inc. would have delayed its plan to move into a custom-built, expanded manufacturing plant on the northwest edge of Omaha.

The recession is on. Prices for grain and ethanol are slipping, and its biggest product line is equipment for handling bulk material like grain.

Many businesses are cutting back, not growing.

But if there was any doubt, Intersystems will sweep that away today as it dedicates its new manufacturing plant at 9575 N. 109th Ave., the first business to locate in the 51-acre Rainwood Pointe industrial-commercial park at Rainwood Road and Blair High Road.

"Our decision wasn't based on the short-term economic situation," said Thomas Schroeder, executive vice president and general manager. "In general our business has been growing in a pretty solid fashion.

"We thought that whatever downturn we looked at last year and early this year was simply a temporary setback, and along the line we'll have steadily improving results."

Walter Greig, president and CEO of ESI, the Houston-based parent company of Intersystems, agreed.

"When things pick up in 2010 or 2011, we want to have the capacity to take advantage of it," Greig said. "This sets us up for the future."

Invited visitors touring the plant and taking part in a dedication ceremony will see an office area with an industrial look, including exposed utilities, concrete and Fiberglas elements, and a spacious manufacturing area with wide aisles and room to grow.

Last winter wasn't so cheery, Schroeder said. When business slacked off, the company had to lay off about 20 Omaha employees. "But we're getting a little bit better. In our opinion we're kind of through the worst of our market downturns."

The new building, covering almost as much space as three football fields, brings together all 140 employees, who had been working in leased buildings at 13620, 13706 and 13720 Giles Road and a company-owned building at 13330 I St., which is now for sale.

Intersystems moved its production equipment into the new space over about 60 days, finishing in early April, and relocated its office in mid-March. The paint operation will move in the next few weeks, completing the transition.

Inside, Intersystems crews design, engineer and fabricate metal into conveyor systems, elevators and other equipment to move bulk material such as grain, concrete, wood pellets and food products.

Intersystems was able to design its own building and lay out the plant for maximum efficiency, using a "lean manufacturing" concept, Schroeder said. For example, just enough steel is delivered each day to meet scheduled production.