Aisin USA Manufacturing and Valeo Sylvania announced expansions during the 2nd quarter that total more than $50 million in new investment and will add 300 jobs, while O&k American said they plan a $9.6 million investment.
“It was quite an April with these announcements combined with the news from Cummins,” said JCIDC Board President Gary Meyer.
Aisin is adding 114 jobs as part of its $21.9 million investment at the East Side Industrial Park, and Valeo plans to invest more than $28 million and create 187 new jobs at its location at Seymour’s Freeman Field.
“Seymour and Indiana are very well positioned in the Midwest, which allows us great access to our customers,” commented Jerry Dittrich, president and general manager of Valeo Sylvania, which currently has 800 employees. “Adding to the location is the fact we have received strong support from state and local government, creating a pro-business environment in which we can prosper and grow.”
The company, which was founded in 1978 as GTE Sylvania, designs and manufactures lighting systems for Chrysler, Ford, GM, Nissan and Toyota vehicles. Valeo was granted tax abatement by Council on its investment of $28,074,000 in real and personal property.
Added Seymour Mayor Craig Luedeman, “Valeo Sylvania has long been a valuable member of our corporate community and we are very pleased to see this new investment and additional good jobs being created for our area,” said Seymour Mayor Craig Luedeman. “Seymour continues to see expansion and job growth from our industrial companies and we pledge our continued support.”
Aisin plans growth at its locations in Seymour due to increased production and demand from automobile makers and Cummins.
The company received three tax abatements from Seymour City Council on investments totaling $21,966,780.
Over the next two years, Aisin plans to add new production machinery and equipment to support Toyota’s newest Corolla, Sienna and Highlander models as well as provide parts for Cummins and Chrysler, stated Betsy Cornett of Aisin’s Strategic Planning Division during the abatement request.
Most of the investment will take place at Plant I, located at 1700 E. Fourth Street at the East Side Park, including $19.5 million in new equipment. To also accommodate production for Toyota, Aisin will add roughly $1.8 million in machinery and equipment at Plant II on Burkart Boulevard. That project will create 12 new positions and retain 300 employees.
“We’re very excited and appreciate the investment,” Councilman Andy Hagedorn said, while Council President Jim Rebber, who also is chair of the industrial development committee, thanked Aisin for its continued belief in Seymour as a good place to do business.
“We appreciate the continued support of the city,” Cornett added.
O&k American, meanwhile, continues its growth at the East Side Park with its April announcement of new investment totaling $9.6 million, which will add 3 new jobs.