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Friday, November 6, 2026

Gradian Opens $60 Million Thermal Management Plant in Dayton, Minnesota

Gradian has opened a new $60 million, 500,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Dayton, Minnesota, expanding its capacity to produce liquid-cooling systems and chillers for data centers and industrial customers. The new facility began production in June 2026 and will create up to 1,000 jobs.

Gradian Thermal Solutions has officially opened a new $60 million manufacturing facility in Dayton, Minnesota. The expansive 500,000-square-foot plant commenced production in June 2026, ahead of its grand opening announced at the end of October.

This new facility significantly expands Gradian’s capabilities to produce advanced thermal management equipment, including liquid-cooling systems, chillers, air-handling equipment, and prefabricated solutions. These products serve the growing needs of data centers, industrial clients, and commercial customers, where reliable and efficient cooling is critical.

The Dayton plant features assembly lines, specialized fabrication equipment, and a dedicated chiller testing laboratory, allowing Gradian to enhance production quality and operational efficiency. With this expansion, the company’s overall manufacturing footprint now totals approximately 780,000 square feet, including existing sites in Maple Grove, Minnesota, and Guadalajara, Mexico.

Gradian projects growth of its workforce from roughly 150 employees to around 1,000 as production ramps up. This reflects the company’s optimism about demand for thermal management solutions amid increasing investments in data center infrastructure and industrial cooling capacity.

The $60 million investment underscores Gradian’s strategic commitment to strengthening its U.S.-based manufacturing presence to serve critical industries. The new Dayton facility positions the company to meet rising customer demand for mission-critical cooling systems that support the country’s digital economy and industrial base.

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