Seymour Tubing, Inc. announced plans during the 3rd quarter to expand its operations at Seymour, Indiana’s East Side Industrial Park, investing more than $20 million and creating up to 18 new jobs by 2014.
STI, which manufacturers carbon and stainless steel tubing components used by carmakers, will invest $20.2 million to construct and equip an additional 51,000 square feet of manufacturing space at its current facility. As part of the project, the company will purchase new manufacturing and tube-forming equipment for the facility, which is slated to be operational next July.
“Indiana continues to see impressive investment from international companies in our automotive manufacturing industries,” said Dan Hasler, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. “STI’s growth in Seymour is yet another sign that Indiana’s business friendly climate is creating a competitive environment for businesses around the globe to grow.”
The company, which currently employs more than 390, plans to begin hiring additional manufacturing, production and quality control associates this year.
“In conjunction with the expansion of our facility and the installation of state of the art tube forming and cutting equipment, STI will be increasing the number of employees at our Seymour facility. The training grant from the State of Indiana will allow us to train these new employees as well as improve our current workforce skill set in the areas of quality, manufacturing and management,” said STI cost accountant Lennie Eckhart. “We feel that with this training we can better serve our customers, our employees, our shareholders and our community. STI appreciates the commitment tha the State of Indiana has with its business community and their employees.”
Founded in 1989, STI is owned by Japan-based Sumitomo Pipe & Tube Co., LTD and Mitsui & Co. (USA) Inc. The company supplies steel tubing in various thicknesses, diameters, lengths and styles that is used primarily as structural components for automobiles. Seymour Tubing is forecasting an increase in sales for 2012 that will be a 20% increase over the last 3 years and projects an additional 20% increse over the next 3 years.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered STI up to $90,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans, and the Seymour City Council approved both real and personal property tax abatement.
“This has been an outstanding year for economic development in Seymour and Jackson County, and the decision by STI to expand here continues that momentum,” said Seymour Mayor Craig Luedeman. “We pledge our support to STI as they grow and prosper in Seymour.”