Delaware County inks MOUs with Italian companies
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Officials in Delaware County recently wrapped up a trip to northern Italy, and the visit proved fruitful. The county says three Italian companies have signed Memorandums of Understanding to either establish or grow their operations in the county.
Delaware County Commissioners President Shannon Henry and Vice President James King visited with 25 firms during the trip, with the goal of making a case for doing business in east central Indiana.
The first MOU was signed with Gamma Meccanica, a manufacturer of machinery that recycles plastics. The company, which employs more than 200 at its facility in Bibbiano, Italy, plans to lease a facility in Delaware County but is considering undisclosed two locations to build a new facility.
The company will invest $2 million to bring its machinery to Delaware County and add four advanced technician jobs.
“We were fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit Delaware County earlier this year,” CEO Andrea Burini said in a news release. “The work and support that County Economic Development Director Brad Bookout put into helping us made the difference in our decision. We are delighted to now set our roots to be a part of the Muncie-Delaware County Community and we look forward to working with more residents and local companies as we advance our plans.”
The second MOU was signed by Trebi Srl, a robotics firm that currently has a sales office in Delaware County. The company now plans to add a warehouse location, though it is unclear how much the company will invest in the project.
Trebi said the move will ensure that Delaware County remains its North American headquarters.
“Delaware County is a terrific location for our U.S. operations. Being centrally located in the Midwest, there is an incredible customer potential for us in all of the surrounding states, cities and towns. Our growth potential is incredible,” said Trebi’s chief engineer, Piercarlo Bonomi.
Trebi makes robotic equipment that performs work considered to be dangerous and low-skilled. The new warehouse location will open with four initial employees.
The third company to sign an MOU is Vi-Technik Srl, which manufactures components for major automotive OEMs, including advanced plastic technology used on autonomous driving cameras.
The company says it will initially lease a 15,000-square-foot facility in the south Muncie Industrial Center, investing $1.8 million in robotic equipment. The company also plans to hire up to 40 employees.
“We looked at many locations in the Midwest before choosing to visit Indiana,” said CEO Fabrizio Vito. “Once in Indiana, the reception and relationship we developed with Brad Bookout in Delaware County to help us advance our plans was second to none. In addition, we are happy to be in an area with a strong presence of other Italian firms.”
Bookout told Inside INdiana Business all three companies expect to be operational in 2024.