MINNEAPOLIS - A southern U.S. factory will be consolidated as McQuay International seeks to increase production of its Vision-brand indoor air handlers by moving production from Scottsboro, Ala. to two plants in the company's home state of Minnesota.

McQuay will expand production at its existing plant in Faribault and one it recently purchased in Owatonna. "The decision is a strategic one, necessary to maintain our leadership position in the hvac industry," said Eric Roberts, executive vice-president and general manager for McQuay-North America. "This move will improve our cost competitiveness, reduce our lead times and help accelerate our introduction of new products by centralizing the air handler business in Minnesota."