Standing in the only facility of its kind in the world, officials with Demilec USA joined Arlington city leaders and customers from across the country on Thursday to unveil its new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant.

"This plant is a testament to the investment we are making here today," Demilec CEO Zain Mahmood said. "Long after some of us have moved on, this building will still be here."

Headquartered in Arlington, Demilec has been a pioneer in the spray foam industry for more than 25 years. The company develops numerous spray foam insulation products to meet the growing demand for energy efficient buildings.

Spray foam insulation is an alternative to traditional building insulation such as fiberglass.

Demilec's new manufacturing facility represents a $20 million investment and is capable of producing spray foam insulation for half-a-million homes each year, Mahmood said. As the only fully automated spray foam facility in the world, he added, the plant produces the highest quality and most environmentally-sound products on the market.

To celebrate, the grand opening included a ceremonial ribbon cutting and tours of the new facility.

Derek Dwyer, regional manager for Demilec, said the new plant gives Demilec a competitive edge.

"We will absolutely continue to offer the best service," Dwyer said. "Now, with this plant, we will offer the best technology to match our customer service."

Arlington Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Charlie Parker said the city is committed to helping small businesses like Demilec grow. The company employs about 150 people and has hired 20 new employees in Arlington to accommodate growth.

"We truly are a city where dreams come true," Parker said. "I look forward to seeing the success of Demilec in the future. We thank you for being an integral part of our community."

Noting explosive growth in Arlington, Dwyer said plenty of opportunities for Demilec's growth exist right here.

"Arlington is growing fast. Schools, hotels, subdivisions," Dwyer said. "We see a lot of opportunities for spray foam insulation right here."