R3 Composites Corporation, a manufacturer of metal and plastic molded components for a variety of industries, announced today that it will establish a new manufacturing center in Grabill, IN, creating up to 400 new jobs by 2014.
The company, which makes composite bathroom fixtures, automotive parts and shipping containers, plans to invest more than $4.5 million to lease and equip the former Meridian Automotive building in Grabill, as its newest manufacturing facility. The building had been idle since 2009.
“Once again, Indiana is proving that there’s no more productive environment to manufacture products than our state,” said Gov. Mitch Daniels. “R3 Composites could have chosen to locate anywhere, but they are bringing hundreds of jobs to northeast Indiana because of our talented workforce and supportive business climate.”
The Muscatine, Iowa-based company will be hiring for manufacturing, supervisory, clerical and management positions later this summer in preparation for the start of production. Associates at the Grabill operations will initially produce bathroom fixtures and will ultimately include manufacturing composite shipping containers.
“R3 Composites is pleased to select Grabill, Indiana as the site for our manufacturing facility,” said Roy Carver, chief executive officer of R3 Composites. “We believe Allen County is a strong community in which to do business.”
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered R3 Composites up to $2 million in performance-based tax credits and up to $50,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. The town of Grabill will consider additional property tax abatement at the request of the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance.
“We welcome R3 Composites to Allen County,” said Allen County Commissioner Nelson Peters. “R3 Composites will benefit from the business-friendly climate and our talented community that will make up their employee base. We are grateful for the 400 new jobs that R3 Composites will bring to Allen County and look forward to partnering with them.”
R3’s announced expansion to Grabill comes after metal manufacturer, Special Metals Corporation, announced plans earlier this month to relocate its operations from Rockford, Ill. to Elkhart, Ind. The company, a producer of stainless steel and Nickel alloy wire, projects to create up to 100 new jobs.
