Verdexium breaks ground on manufacturing center

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On April 21, construction officially began on Verdexium, a next-generation innovation and manufacturing center that will ultimately span 450,000 square feet across a multi-phase campus in Mansfield. Designed to accelerate American-led innovation and reestablish domestic control over critical supply chains, Verdexium represents a strategic leap forward for U.S. industry. The groundbreaking event marked a milestone in Mansfield’s transformation into a hub for high-tech manufacturing and advanced economic development. The initial phase — covering 167,500 square feet — is now underway at 2201 Heritage Parkway and will lay the foundation for Verdexium’s full-scale buildout, positioning the site as a national model for regional innovation and supply chain resilience.

The ceremony drew a distinguished audience, including Mayor Michael Evans, who spoke on Verdexium’s strategic role in the city’s future. "Verdexium is the first anchor in the link to Mansfield's innovation district along Heritage Parkway," the mayor said. "It marks the beginnings of a place where innovation, industry, and opportunity come together. And it's about building the foundation of high-wage careers, nurturing homegrown talent and making Mansfield a hub of advanced manufacturing and innovation."

The event also featured remarks from several prominent leaders, including representatives from Frost Bank, Jennifer Cowley, President of the University of Texas at Arlington, and Dean Harry M. Dombroski of UTA's College of Business. David Cook, state representative from Texas House District 96, authored an official Texas House resolution congratulating Sellmark, James Sellers and the company’s leadership on the construction of Verdexium. The resolution was formally presented to Sellmark Corporation CEO James Sellers by Daryle Perez, district assistant to Representative Cook, during the groundbreaking ceremony. Additional speakers included key figures from regional business and government, reflecting the broad coalition of support behind Verdexium’s mission.

James Sellers, CEO of Sellmark Corporation, spoke to the significance of the moment, stating, "We're not just turning over some soil here, we're turning the page to a new chapter in American innovation, entrepreneurship and manufacturing."

The new complex aims to accelerate the commercialization of American-made products by providing startups and small manufacturers with shared infrastructure, expert networks, and advanced manufacturing capabilities — all under one roof. Its goal is to dramatically shorten the typical startup-to-market timeline from over seven years to just one to three years, allowing innovators to bring products to market faster and more efficiently. Verdexium is committed to reducing U.S. dependency on offshore manufacturing, particularly from China, by strengthening domestic production capacity and ensuring critical supply chains remain within American borders. Focused on high-compliance sectors such as defense, aerospace, biomedical devices and rugged outdoor industries, Verdexium serves as a national model for resilient regional innovation hubs — empowering businesses to innovate, develop and manufacture at home.

Verdexium is designed to serve as a transformative force for American-led growth and innovation, directly confronting the structural barriers that slow product development and manufacturing competitiveness in critical sectors. Its mission is to equip startups and small manufacturers with the tools, expertise, and infrastructure necessary to scale production, reduce development timelines and enhance domestic manufacturing resilience.

Verdexium consolidates prototyping, advanced manufacturing, environmental testing, and ruggedization processes under one roof, providing startups and small manufacturers with expert networks for mentoring, investment, regulatory guidance and technical advancement. The center focuses on critical, high-regulation sectors that require robust testing and compliance — such as defense optics, aerospace components, biomedical devices, rugged electronics and outdoor gear. Verdexium’s vertically integrated capabilities, including robotics, AI-powered automation, CNC machining, injection molding, 3D printing, electronics assembly and environmental simulation, aim to shorten the typical product development cycle from over seven years to just one to three years. Serving as a catalyst for reshoring manufacturing, Verdexium reduces reliance on offshore supply chains, particularly from nations that have monopolized global production. By strengthening domestic capabilities, Verdexium ensures that innovation, development, and production remain in the United States — empowering American businesses to lead in competitive, high-compliance industries.

Beyond its technical infrastructure, Verdexium is also positioned as a dynamic workforce development hub. By partnering with TMAC (Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center), the Texas Workforce Commission, regional universities and federal agencies such as the EDA, DoD, DOE and SBA, Verdexium will offer tailored upskilling programs, hands-on robotics and advanced manufacturing training, and student learning pathways to align talent pipelines with industry demand.

The groundbreaking of Verdexium represents not just a construction milestone but the establishment of the anchor institution for Mansfield's emerging "LinQ" Innovation Corridor. As the first installation from the future Innovation Corridor along Heritage Parkway, Verdexium will serve as the foundation for a district dedicated to fostering advanced manufacturing, technology and economic growth in the region. Phase One, comprising approximately 167,500 square feet of office, manufacturing and collaborative space, is expected to be completed in 2026. This initial phase lays the groundwork for Verdexium's broader 450,000 square feet multi-phase development, positioning it as a national model for regional innovation hubs.

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