Materials Company to Expand Its Northeast Indiana Operations
ANGOLA, Ind. (Oct. 17, 2008) - Governor Mitch Daniels joined executives from materials handling equipment maker Vestil Manufacturing Corporation today to announce the company's plans to expand its operations here, creating up to 50 new jobs by 2011.
The company, which manufactures and distributes more than 5,000 materials handling products ranging from work station cranes to stretch wrap machines, will invest $2 million to expand its manufacturing operations into a former recreational vehicle and automotive parts manufacturing facility adjacent to one of its current Angola manufacturing operations.
"Hard work and perseverance are essential in business, and there is no better example of that than here in northeast Indiana. From Ralph Trine and the people of Vestil to the staff at SIRVA, northeast Indiana is showing today that despite a challenging national economy businesses are growing and hard working Hoosiers will soon be the benefactor of that growth," said Daniels.
Earlier today Daniels joined executives from global moving and relocation giant SIRVA, Inc. to announce the company's plans to relocate its national headquarters for moving services from Illinois to Fort Wayne, creating 240 new jobs
Vestil currently employs more than 350 associates at four manufacturing and distribution centers in Angola. The 51-year-old company plans to begin hiring production and clerical staff immediately to prepare for the completion of the build out of the 80,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in January.
"New product development continues to fuel our growth here in Angola," said Ralph Trine, president of Vestil Manufacturing. "The new facility will allow us to provide an expanded product line to existing and future customers."
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Vestil Manufacturing Corp. up to $100,000 in performance-based tax credits and up to $27,500 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans. The city of Angola will consider property tax abatement at the request of the Steuben County Economic Development Corporation
"We are once again very pleased that Vestil is expanding here in Angola," said Mayor Richard Hickman. "Vestil and their employees have been great corporate citizens for this community, and we are especially pleased to see an Angola company making this kind of positive economic move during these particularly challenging economic times."
The news of Vestil's expansion is the second in less than two years for the materials handling equipment maker. In April 2007, the company announced plans to expand its northeast Indiana manufacturing operations by 60,000 square feet, creating more than 100 new jobs.
About Vestil
Vestil Manufacturing Corp. is an industry leader in the manufacturing and distributing of materials handling equipment. Vestil offers an extensive product line featuring over 5,000 different items including a variety of Dock Equipment, Ergonomic Solutions, Drum Handling Equipment and Material Handling Equipment.
For more information about Vestil, visit www.vestilmfg.com.
About IEDC
Created by Governor Mitch Daniels in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Daniels. Indiana Secretary of Commerce Nathan Feltman serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC. Since Daniels created the IEDC, the state has posted three consecutive years of record-breaking commitments for new jobs.
For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.
