Jan 25, 2013 | Jackson County News & Info
A recent article in the January 2013 issue of The Regional Economist (a quarterly publication of The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis that addresses business and economic conditions) illustrates that not only are manufacturing jobs not leaving Seymour, Indiana, but the numbers are increasing, including many higher-paying jobs requiring advanced degrees.
Click below to view the entire article in PDF.
StayedInAmerica – Source article from The Regional Economist, Jan 2013 Issue
Dec 14, 2012 | Jackson County News & Info
Aisin Drivetrain Inc. in Crothersville, Indiana has added about 100 workers to its workforce in preparation for the production of a new transmission for light and medium-duty commercial Chrysler Ram trucks.
“We’re excited to add this new six-speed automatic transmission to our product group here at ADI,” said Scott Turpin, who is president of Aisin Drivetrain.
The company invested $15 million in equipment and upgrades at the 350,000 square foot plant at 1001 Industrial Way.
Production of the transmissions – designed for Class 3, Class 4 and Class 5 diesel trucks – has begun, and the first shipments to Chrysler are expected to leave the plant later this month or in January, said Larry Summa, the company’s administrative division manager.
Summa also said the new product is the first transmission Aisin has made in America.
A recent ceremony to introduct the new product line was attended by Chrysler vice president Mircea Gardu, director of engineering Ed Perosky and platform director for transmission and driveline powertrain Mark Champine. The ceremony also was attended by Aisin Seiki chairman Kanshiro Toyoda. Aisin Drivetrain is a business unit of Aisin Seiki, an automotive transmission supplier.
Turpin said ADI has been running full throttle in preparation of the new business. “Many of our team members have logged thousands of miles and countless hours traveling to Japan for training on our new equipment,” Turpin said. He said the new project has provided opportunities to learn new processes and has brought together a team of like-minded, multicultural people ready for the new challenge.
Turpin said the Aisin-Chrysler relationship dates back 30 years when Aisin Group began building five-speed transmissions for the Jeep Cherokee.
ADI, which first opened its doors in 1996 at Crothersville, also supplies industrial transmissions for the forklift industry and steering columns for the automotive industry.
With the expansion, Aisin operations in North America will grow to nearly 5,000 full-time employees, with annual sales of $2 billion.
Source: The Tribune, December 14, 2012
Oct 21, 2012 | Jackson County News & Info
Workers at Seymour Manufacturing Co. in Seymour, Indiana learned in October that they now work for a new company.
That news came with assurances from Midwest Rake Col of Warsaw, Indiana that they will continue to have their jobs and continue to make long-handled toold under the Seymour Manufacturing name.
Jeff Plank, a co-owner of Midwest Rake, and Berl Grant of Seymour Manufacturing shared a common theme in discussing the sale with employees – the purchase holds strong opportunities for both businesses, and each is a good fit for the other.
“Midwest Rake is honored to have been selected to lead Seymour into the future,” Plank said. “We appreciate both the distinctive faith and confidence being placed on us and welcome the responsibility we are assuming.”
Grant said it was important to the Birge family, owners of Seymour Manufacturing since its founding in 1872, to a find a buyer that would be intent on keeping the company open and its workers on the job.
“They felt it importnat to find a buyer who needed and wanted the company,” Grant said. “That’s why it’s taken so long to find the right buyer, and we think we have done that.”
The Birge family decided 10 years ago the best plan for continuing the company was to sell it, Grant said, adding many potential suitors were dismissed over those 10 years. Talks with Midwest Rake began over a year ago, although the firms have done business with each other for many years.
“This merger gives us confidence the Seymour Manufacturing’s 140-year legacy will not only be preserved but enhanced by the combined resources of the two companies,” Dr. Clifford Birge said on behalf of his family.
Plank said the merger offers both divisions thousands of potential new customers, although they do share some common clients. “What’s exciting about the business opportunity is both of us have more then 3,000 customers each, but we share only 10-15% of those customers,” Plank said. “That’s a lot of potential new customers for Midwest Rake and Seymour.”
Seymour Manufacturing is best known for production of its manual post hole diggers. Midwest Rake is known for its rakes and other tools.
“We look forward to working with employees and customers alike as we begin this new and exciting era of controlled growth and opportunity for both Seymour Manufacturing and Midwest Rake,” added Bill Henthorn, president and chief executive officer for Midwest Rake.
Source: The Tribune, Seymour, IN 10.3.12
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
