The Ford Meter Box Company Inc., an Indiana-based manufacturer of waterworks products, announced plans today to expand operations in Wabash, creating up to 126 new, high-wage jobs by the end of 2027.
“Across Indiana, entrepreneurs like Edwin Ford have created a significant and lasting impact on the state’s economy and communities – more evidence of the importance of entrepreneurship and its lasting impact on Indiana’s economy,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers.
Ford Meter Box, which was incorporated in Wabash in 1911, will invest $250-300 million to expand its Indiana operations, designing and constructing a new 300,000-square-foot facility that will substantially increase the production of brass products while allowing room for future production lines. The new facility, which will be located adjacent to Ford Meter Box’s current operations, will allow the company to meet increased demand for water, wastewater, civil and industrial applications across the U.S. The company plans to break ground on the multi-year project later this year.
“This is the largest expansion in the company’s history,” said Steve Ford, president of Ford Meter Box. “The new facility will complement existing manufacturing operations at the firm’s Manchester Avenue location in Wabash. Parts of our present foundry will remain in production, and parts will be repurposed to better utilize space.”
The Ford Meter Box Company, founded by Edwin Ford, has been serving the waterworks industry since 1898. The company is dedicated to producing well-designed and thoroughly tested products, manufactured with the finest raw materials, and supported by conscientious and professional employees in the waterworks industry. The company, which has manufacturing operations in Wabash and Pell City, Alabama, employs more than 600 associates in Indiana.
“I am elated that Ford Meter Box has chosen to expand their business in Wabash,” said Wabash Mayor Scott A. Long. “We’ve worked hard with the team at Grow Wabash County to create an environment to attract new jobs and growth in our community, and we are excited that we can partner with our largest, homegrown employer to expand right here. This is an incredible way to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Ford Meter Box company.”
Based on the company’s job creation plans, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) committed an investment in Ford Meter Box of up to $1.2 million in the form of incentive-based tax credits and up to $200,000 in training grants. The IEDC also committed an investment of up to $350,000 in Hoosier Business Investment tax credits. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning the company is eligible to claim incentives once Hoosiers are hired and investments are made. The city of Wabash offered additional incentives, and Duke Energy approved incentives to offset a portion of the energy costs.