Sep 1, 2012 | Jackson County News & Info
With Aisin Seiki Chairman of the Board Kanshiro Toyoda and his wife in attendance, Aisin USA celebrated its 25th anniversary in July and honored more than 60 team members who have been employed with the company for all of those years.
AUM President Keith Ward along with Mike Saito, president of Aisin Holdings of America, thanked those employees, and Warf mentioned that over the 25-year history of the company 6,642 employees had worked there, with AUM currently employing 1,707 team members.
Saito added that during that time Aisin USA has made 66 million door frames and 20 million seats.
“I must admit that 25 years ago this summer, I was preparing for the 5th grade and obviously didn’t understand the significance of a Japanese company selecting Seymour as the home for their first U.S. manufacturing operation,” Seymour Mayor Craig Luedeman told the gathering. “Years later as my friends and friend’s parents found employment opportunities here, it was very clear what a difference this company was making in my hometown. And now it is even more apparent to me the impact Aisin USA has had on this entire region.”
During his speech, Luedeman also announced that the City of Seymour’s Board of Public Works had decided to name the section of East Fourth Street in front of AUM “Honorary Kanshiro Toyoda Way” as a way to salute the current Chairman.
In 1986, “he was Senior Managing Director, and was instrumental in making the decision to locate in Seymour,” said Luedeman. “He has continued to encourage growth in Seymour and Jackson County, including the establishment of Aisin Holdings of America, Aisin Drivetrain and Aisin Chemical of Indiana. He continues to influence the growth of Aisin USA and other Aisin companies.”
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City of Seymour Fire Chief and Police Chief received donations from Aisin USA
Aug 30, 2012 | Jackson County News & Info
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.”
Aug 15, 2012 | Jackson County News & Info
A Japanese company that produces steel tubing components for the automotive industry plans to expand its Seymour, Indiana plant.
Seymour Tubing Inc., owned by Sumitomo Metal Industries and Mitsui and Co., requested tax abatement of Seymour Common Council on Monday, August 13, 2012, and was approved for $20.2 million investment in new equipment and real estate improvements.
The project is expected to add 18 new jobs at the 1515 E. Fourth St. facility in Seymour’s East Side Industrial Park.
Source: The Tribune, Seymour, IN
Jul 31, 2012 | Jackson County News & Info
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.
Jul 31, 2012 | Jackson County News & Info
With an eye on improvement of the educational system in Seymour and Jackson County, Cummins Inc. continued its recent growth trend by announcing a $219 million expansion that it will add 290 jobs at its Seymour high-speed diesel engine plant by 2015.
“A key aspect for choosing Seymour is the support from IEDC to provide for educational initiatives, which will help ensure the availability of a skilled workforce for many years to come,” said Rich Freeland, president of Cummins’ engine business, following the April 24th announcement.
Cummins plans to construct a new office building to house up to 500 employees, as well as build a manufacturing facility for components of high-horsepower engines, plus add new warehouses and facilities for additional engineering, production and cylinder block production line.
“We are proud to be able to partner with Cummins and the State to make this exciting project a reality,” said Seymour Mayor Craig Luedeman. “Cummins has been an outstanding partner as we work to grow our community.”
At the May 14th Seymour City Council meeting, company officials reported new investment during 2012 is expected to be $71.1 million (of the $219 million total project), with 110 new employees expected to be hired this year. The company currently has about 525 employees at its Seymour Engine Plant.
Council granted 10-year tax abatement on the investment, and the Indiana Economic Development Corp. will provide Cummins with up to $250,000 in training grants based on the company’s job-creation plans.
Additionally, the IEDC is awarding the City of Seymour a “Certified Tech Park,” which means up to $5 million of payroll and sales tax can be captured and will be used to fund educational programs through the Jackson County Education Coalition (see related story in this newsletter).
Cummins is the largest independent maker of diesel engines in the world, and had record earnings in 2011. They plan to produce 16-cylinder, 4,000-horsepower diesel engines in Seymour that will be used in passenger and freight locomotives, boats, mining trucks and offshore oil and gas platform.
“Cummins continues an impressive expansion in the Hoosier State and much of that stems from the strong international demand for products designed and built right here in Indiana,” Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels said during the press conference. “Once again, words cannot describe how thankful we are for Cummins and the investment it is making in the Seymour community.”
Jul 31, 2012 | Jackson County News & Info
JLM Pharmatech plans to nearly double its workforce and invest nearly $7 million in equipment and building addition at its Eastside Industrial Park location.
Rich Chibnall, company CFO, attended the February 13th meeting of the Seymour City Council to request tax abatement on the investment, which was granted. The company currently employs 22, and plans to add 18 new jobs next year, according to Chibnall.
The company will invest an estimated $4.2 million on equipment and $2.7 million to expand their facility (located at 2223 Killion Avenue). The Indiana Economic Development Corporation has pledged $110,000 in tax credits and $15,500 in training dollars.
“Thank you for your investment and faith in Seymour,” Councilman Lloyd Hudson told the company following approval of the abatement request.
Meanwhile, Jackson County Council approved more than $2 million in abatements during their January meeting for a grain elevator project to be known as Tampico Grain and being developed by Steve Wischmeier and Scott Teipen south of Uniontown on U.S. 31 in Vernon Township.
Jim Plump, executive director of Jackson County Industrial Development Corporation, outlined the project to council members, and said the company plans to spend $1.225 million for logistics and equipment and another $829,424 for real estate. The council granted tax abatement on both real and personal property requests for a 10-year period.
In advance of the Council meeting, Teipen and Wischmeier attended the Jackson County Plan Commission meeting to request a land-use exception. “We want to expand a little closer to the interstate,” Teipen told members of that Commission.
Teipen said he and Wischmeier, who owns Tampico Grain, are looking at converting about 40 acres of the farmland into a commercial grain elevator and trucking operation.
The proposed operation would include parking for semitrailers, six grain bins, a grain dryer powered by natural gas and two scales, one for inbound loads and a second for outbound loads. The company outlined a five-year plan they have in place to move some of the grain operation to the proposed site at County Road 400 South and U.S. 31 north of Crothersville, where as many as six more larger grain bins could eventually be installed.
