BRC Rubber & Plastics, Inc., a manufacturer of molded components for the automotive industry, announced plans to expand its operations in northeast Indiana, creating up to 51 new jobs by 2013.
The Churubusco-based company, which specializes in the production of rubber-to-metal bonded parts, recently acquired the equipment and intellectual property assets of Quebec-based Veyance Technologies Canada, Inc. As part of the acquisition, the company will consolidate Veyance's current business to its three northeast Indiana manufacturing facilities in Hartford City, Montpelier and Ligonier.
"When companies like BRC continue to bring jobs to Indiana, it reaffirms our state's magnetic appeal to growing businesses," said Dan Hasler, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. "No other state can compare to our low taxes, nationally acclaimed business climate and unparalleled location to 80 percent of the American population."
BRC has already begun hiring additional factory, operating and production associates. The company plans to hire 40 associates at its Hartford City facility including an additional 11 associates divided among its facilities in Montpelier and Ligonier.
"Indiana offers BRC a good, low-cost business environment in close proximity to many of its customers," said Michael Meyer, executive vice president of BRC. "Keeping costs low allows BRC to compete favorably in the marketplace, especially against foreign competitors in low-cost emerging countries."
Founded in 1973 as a manufacturer of rubber products, the company expanded its production capabilities in 1985 to include plastic injection molding services. In addition to its three northeast Indiana facilities, BRC operates additional facilities in Churubusco, Ind., Bluffton, Ind. and Auburn Hills, Mich. The company supplies customers in North America, South America, Europe and Asia.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered BRC Rubber & Plastics, Inc. up to $63,250 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 Hartford City approved additional property tax abatement at the request of the Blackford County Economic Development Corporation.
"The city of Hartford City would like to congratulate BRC on its recent acquisition," said Hartford City Mayor Ben Hodgin. "The city of Hartford City is aggressively working to improve its business-friendly environment to win job opportunities. We are delighted with the creation of quality job opportunities for Hartford City and our state."
BRC's announcement comes one month after Chief Executive magazine ranked Indiana as the best place to do business in the Midwest and the fifth best nationwide. Since Governor Mitch Daniels created the Indiana Economic Development Corporation in 2005, the state has received national accolades for its best business environment and was named with having the most favorable tax system for business in the Midwest by the Tax Foundation earlier this year.
About BRC
BRC Rubber & Plastics, Inc. is an industry leader in the manufacture of rubber and plastic products primarily for the automotive industry. BRC produces a very broad range of rubber and plastic products from its manufacturing facilities located in Indiana, utilizing injection, compression and transfer molding capabilities for thermoset rubber and injection molding for plastic products. BRC specializes in rubber-to-metal bonded products and its product lines include steering column to dash seals, suspension components, engine gaskets, fuel system isolators, grommets and bellows, air ducts and a variety of miscellaneous rubber and plastic products.
About IEDC
Created by Governor Mitch Daniels in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Daniels. Dan Hasler serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC.
The IEDC oversees programs enacted by the General Assembly including tax credits, workforce training grants and public infrastructure assistance. All tax credits are performance-based. Therefore, companies must first invest in Indiana through job creation or capital investment before incentives are paid. A company who does not meet its full projections only receives a percentage of the incentives proportional to its actual investment. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov