The manufacturing sector in Utah and the rest of the country is in decline. And consumers are putting off all kinds of discretionary purchases.

So how is it that Ultradent Products Inc. in South Jordan is dedicating a new 65,000-square-foot manufacturing facility? The company, which manufactures products and equipment used in dental offices, operates in a fairly recession-resistant sector. Its wholly owned subsidiary OraTech also handles manufacturing work for other companies on an outsourcing basis -- a trend that typically accelerates in recessionary times.

The expansion at 10075 S. Jordan Parkway is actually the first phase of a 200,000-square-foot planned expansion for the 900-employee company.

"We're really fortunate to be holding our own right now," said Scot Andersen, vice president of sales and marketing at OraTech.

Privately-held Ultradent, which is celebrating its 30-year anniversary this year, already has a 235,000-square-foot building in South Jordan. Most of the company's employees are in Utah, although it does have distributors and offices worldwide.

The company was founded by Dan Fischer, a dentist who started creating products, such as teeth whiteners, after graduating from dental school.

"In his time off he would just experiment with things," said Monte Thompson, director of the Utah Dental Association.

"Some people just say 'I'm going to change things that aren't right' and Dan Fischer has been that type of person," Thompson said. "He's very innovative."

The company started as a home-based business in Fischer's basement, eventually expanding to its facility in South Jordan. Today the company manufactures more than 500 different dental products, devices and instruments used by dentists and in laboratories in the university setting.

In Utah, the company has led a low-profile existence. Fischer has gained attention, but not for his company. He's spoken out against the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Fischer, a former member of the polygamous sect, has been instrumental in focusing government attention and legal action against leader Warren S. Jeffs.

While Ultradent won't divulge its revenues and profits -- and how they are holding up in the global economic crisis -- it's safe to say they are faring better than many other companies right now.

The first factor working in the company's favor: The fact that industry data shows that spending on dental services and restorative work -- Ultradent's focus -- has so far held up better than expected during the recession.

The other is the trend of outsourcing in hard times.

"Contract manufacturing can actually work inverse to what's going on in the economy," he said. "The worse the economy, the more likely companies are to think about outsourcing."

Mark Knold, chief economist for the Utah Department of Workforce Services, said it's nice to see a manufacturing company in the state not facing layoffs.

"We just aren't hearing a lot of good news right now," Knold said. "It's nice to see some companies that are doing well, and growing, even in this environment."