SIA Supplier Expanding in Boone County
The company launched in Jamestown in 2014.
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowContinued growth at Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. in Lafayette has spurred an Indiana supplier to expand. Fukai Toyotetsu Indiana Corp. is confirming plans to invest $57 million into an additional facility and up to 103 jobs in Boone County. The company, located in Jamestown, is a joint venture between Japan-based Fukai Manufacturing Co. Ltd. and Toyotetsu.
FTIC launched the Indiana operation in 2014 and its primary customer is SIA. The company produces body structural parts for cars built about an hour away in Tippecanoe County. Plans call for 125,000 new square-feet of space, doubling its current footprint.
President Satoru Fukai says "FTIC selected Jamestown, Indiana, to be close to our main customer, Subaru of Indiana Automotive. Indiana has a long-term sister relationship with Tochigi Prefecture, which is a location for Fukai Manufacturing. Indiana is very competitive with labor, education and logistics, which provides future business opportunities."
Boone County Economic Development Corp. Executive Director Molly Whitehead told Inside INdiana Business the company has put its stamp on Jamestown, which has a population of about 1,000 people.
"This really is a company that has made a sizeable investment here," said Whitehead. "They’re the only company of their size in Jamestown and it’s just been exciting to see the community embrace them. And, of course, the proximity to Subaru up in Lafayette makes it easy to do business here."
Whitehead said one of the main benefits of FTIC locating in Jamestown in 2014 was the company bringing gas utility service to the small town. She says Vectren installed the gas line to service the company’s building and residents, who had previously relied on propane or other energy sources, were able to hook into the gas line.
FTIC is the latest Subaru supplier to announce an expansion. Sanoh America Inc. announced in May 2016 plans to open a new facility in Lafayette, creating 60 jobs. In August, Moriden America Inc. announced plans to nearly double its work force in Carmel, also to keep up with demand from Subaru.
Whitehead says they would love to bring in more Subaru suppliers to Jamestown. "I think, geographically, we’re located in a pretty good spot. It’s easy to get where you need to go and get to Subaru very quickly, so I think that’s appealing."
The new jobs are expected to be added by 2020 and hiring could ramp up next spring for welding, stamping, quality assurance, machine maintenance, die maintenance, conveyance and engineering positions. FTIC has been offered up to $1.1 million in conditional tax credits and training grants from the Indiana Economic Development Corp.
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Boone County Economic Development Corp. Executive Director Molly Whitehead told Inside INdiana Business the company has put its stamp on Jamestown.