Bard Manufacturing Co. is adding 15,000 square feet to its Bryan, Ohio, headquarters with the construction of a design center. 

The James R. Bard Center for HVAC Innovation & Design, scheduled to open in summer 2018, will include new office facilities and a testing laboratory.

 “The work spaces in the new center will help us all work together better and more collaboratively,” said Pam Bard Steel, Bard’s chairwoman. “We want to be a magnet in northwest Ohio for creating jobs and bringing in skilled trades.”

The facility is being designed by Beilharz Architects of Defiance, Ohio, and the general contractor is Spieker Co., of Perrysburg, Ohio.

Bill Steel, Bard’s president and CEO said that the company’s goal is to “create the next generation of engineering innovation that will increase our ability to help advance customer and industry needs.”

Former company president Jim Bard and his wife Joan provided the funding for the new facility. Jim Bard retired as president after 43 years with the family-owned company.

 “Naming the center the James R. Bard Center for HVAC Innovation & Design honors Jim’s legacy of service and significant importance to the company,” Steel said.