Team Quality Services (TQS), a global provider of quality support services, announced plans to expand its operations in northeast Indiana, constructing a new headquarters facility in downtown Auburn and creating up to 20 new jobs by 2021.
"Homegrown Hoosier companies like TQS are providing services across the world, but are choosing to grow and hire in Indiana because of our state’s low-cost, tax-friendly climate and talented workforce," said Elaine Bedel, president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). "As TQS expands its northeast Indiana footprint, we'll continue to work hand-in-hand with our communities, our businesses and our economic development partners across the state to ensure it has the tools and resources needed to be successful in the years ahead."
The company will invest $2.8 million to expand its Auburn-based headquarters, constructing a 14,000-square-foot facility at 131 W. 7th St. that will more-than-triple its current footprint and accommodate its growth. Scheduled to be operational by October 2019, the new building, which will include 4,000 square feet available to lease, will be home to TQS' administrative, customer service, sales and marketing operations. With this expansion, the company plans to grow and enhance its North American client base, which includes Indiana-based original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) Honda, Subaru, Toyota and General Motors (GM).
TQS, which currently employs 23 full-time associates in Auburn, plans to hire immediately for positions in sales and operations. Interested applicants should apply www.teamqualityservices.com/careers.
“We are thankful and excited that our expanding business has allowed us the opportunity to join in the revitalization that we are seeing in downtown Auburn," said Chris Straw, president of TQS. "In today’s business climate, all of these improvements in our community are crucial to attracting and retaining a talented workforce."
Founded in 1997 by Chris Straw, who served as a part-time quality liaison at the GM Fort Wayne Assembly plant, TQS helps companies identify quality problems, minimize production defects, increase efficiency and reduce costs associated with quality issues. The company has quality specialists embedded at 78 automotive OEMs across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and continues to expand its quality-related services to other industries like healthcare, medical device and aerospace. In 2017, TQS was named Large Business of the Year by the DeKalb Chamber Partnership.
“The city of Auburn welcomes the expansion of Team Quality Services as a key piece of our downtown revitalization," said Auburn Mayor Norm Yoder. "It is heartwarming to have a locally owned start-up business succeed and grow, and we look forward to a prolonged relationship. Auburn is excited that over 20 additional jobs will be added to our city while also improving our downtown landscape. Good things happen when communities and the state work in partnership.”
The IEDC offered TQS up to $50,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $110,000 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans. These incentives are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The city of Auburn will consider additional incentives at the request of the DeKalb County Economic Development Partnership. Northeast Indiana Works also supports the project.
TQS’ expansion plans continue a trend of global companies choosing Indiana for growth. Indiana’s business climate ranks first in the Midwest and fifth in the nation, offering companies like TQS the tools and resources they need to grow its business.
About Team Quality Services
Team Quality Services (TQS) helps quality departments in areas of supplier quality, production quality and customer quality. Over 20 years later, TQS has expanded to three countries with quality liaisons at over 75 automotive OEM plants. The company has continued to increase its reach by providing quality-related services to numerous industries, including the energy, oil & gas, healthcare, medical device and aerospace sectors.
About IEDC
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) leads the state of Indiana’s economic development efforts, helping businesses launch, grow and locate in the state. Governed by a 15-member board chaired by Governor Eric J. Holcomb, the IEDC manages many initiatives, including performance-based tax credits, workforce training grants, innovation and entrepreneurship resources, public infrastructure assistance, and talent attraction and retention efforts. For more information about the IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.