Affinity, a uniform, professional work wear and safety garment manufacturer and distributor, announced plans to locate in Indiana, establishing its headquarters as well as a new manufacturing and distribution facility in southeast Indiana. To support its growth in Clark County, the company plans to create up to 160 new jobs by the end of 2023.
"Indiana's business-friendly environment, skilled talent pipeline and strong manufacturing sector offer companies like Affinity the perfect location to establish and grow their footprint," said Governor Eric J. Holcomb. "We’re extremely grateful that with 49 other states to choose from, Affinity picked Indiana to establish its new home and create quality career opportunities for Hoosiers for years to come.”
Affinity will invest $3.9 million to lease and equip a new 100,000-square-foot facility at 401 Salem Road in Jeffersonville to house the company’s headquarters, manufacturing and distribution center. The new facility, which is expected to begin operating later this spring, will serve as the headquarters for Affinity as well as the U.S. headquarters for its parent company, U.K.-based Mi Hub Limited. Once complete, the company plans to transition its existing U.S. operations in Kentucky and Texas to its new Indiana hub.
The company, which supplies corporate uniforms and clothing to businesses across the globe, chose to locate in southeast Indiana because of the state’s robust transportation network and proximity to major air shipping hubs. Affinity plans to initially add 75 associates in the coming months as its operations ramp up and will continue hiring for positions ranging from warehouse to executive roles. Interested applicants may apply via email at careers@mi-hubus.com.
“Affinity is a growing, stable company that is delighted to bring a state-of-the-art distribution center to Indiana,” said Gregg Mischner, senior vice president of Mi Hub. “Affinity is part of the Mi Hub family of brands, and this development allows the group to expand its global footprint and better service our clients with two-day ground shipping to 75% of the U.S. population. This new location gives Affinity the opportunity to fully focus on the corporate apparel marketplace, to become the industry’s leading provider within the mid-market sector in North America.”
Mi Hub Limited is an international supplier of corporate clothing uniform solutions to businesses and individuals. The company operates a number of brands, including Affinity, and employs more than 800 people across the U.S., U.K. and Europe. Affinity, which is currently based in Kentucky and Texas, specializes in implementing both domestic and global full-service, custom apparel programs for brand-focused partners within the mid-market uniform sector.
“I am proud Jeffersonville continues to attract companies like Affinity from around the globe to its business-friendly, world-class amenities, and we stand ready to assist in any way possible," said Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore. "The city will continue to improve its infrastructure, quality of place and other many assets to ensure it remains competitive with any location in the United States as the best place to start a new business venture.”
Indiana is a leader in manufacturing, with 8,500 manufacturing facilities and the highest concentration of manufacturing jobs in the nation. Training initiatives like Next Level Jobs include a powerful advanced manufacturing track dedicated to automation and robotics technology. As a result, Indiana boasts a deep, highly skilled workforce. In fact, 20% of Hoosiers are working in advanced manufacturing — well above the national average.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Mi Hub U.S. (dba Affinity) up to $1.7 million in conditional tax credits and up to $100,000 in conditional training grants based on the company's job creation and training plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning the company is eligible to claim incentives once Hoosiers are hired. Located in the River Ridge Commerce Center, an Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ), the company is eligible to receive UEZ benefits.