Manufacturing, e-Commerce Marriage Brings Growth
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA tech company that is expanding and adding jobs in Evansville says it is finding success in pairing two industries that don’t often work together. eLuxurySupply.com founder Paul Saunders says most e-commerce companies would not jump into manufacturing, and many manufacturing businesses "have not figured out e-commerce." The company announced plans last month to move its manufacturing operations from Tennessee to Evansville and add more than 100 jobs. Saunders says eLuxurySupply, which initially manufactured bed and bath products, is looking to grow into the home and garden sector.
Saunders, a United States Marine Corps veteran, founded eLuxurySupply.com at his home in 2009. It was recently named the fastest-growing company in Indiana and the 15th-fastest growing company in the United States by Inc. magazine. In February, the company said it would invest $5 million to renovate its 60,000 square-foot Evansville headquarters to accommodate the move. The new operations will include bedding product manufacturing as well as the e-commerce, customer service and distribution operations that the Evansville facility already houses. Hiring is already underway for manufacturing positions.
In addition to growing its slate of products offerings, the company is also looking to expand its customer base. Saunders says a large percentage of its business has been direct to consumers, "which we could do quickly and efficiently through our online model." He says the company is now growing its focus on selling to hospitality businesses, including several recent orders from a large hotel chain.
eLuxurySupply.com’s expansion is good news for southwest Indiana, which is continuing efforts to become a more innovation-friendly region. Saunders says city and state leadership have been very supportive of the company’s growth plans, as well as those of other tech businesses. The Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered eLuxurySupply.com up to $725,000 in conditional tax credits based on the job creation plans. The city of Evansville also offered incentives.