[UPDATED] Fireplace Manufacturer to Expand in Huntington, Create 210 Jobs

"What it does is gives back many of the staff that we have lost over the last five or six years," said Hawley. "It will bring our employment up to two-thirds of what it was at its peak," added Hawley.

Hawley says the facility is also the distribution center for all of the company's manufacturing sites and serves as a central distribution area. He says the facility in Huntington makes primarily gas and wood fireplaces, with 50 percent of its business being new home construction.

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. is offering more than $2.5 million in incentives for the expansion, while the City of Huntington is offering more than $600,000 to the company.

Press Release

HUNTINGTON, Ind. (June 20, 2007) — Governor Mitch Daniels joined executives from CFM Corporation today to announce the company’s plans to consolidate its North American fireplace manufacturing operations here, creating more than 210 new jobs.

CFM, one of North America’s largest manufacturers of fireplaces and stoves, will close its Ontario-based manufacturing operation and invest nearly $4.5 million to relocate its operations to its expanding facility here.

“Edy’s, Saturn Wheel, Tri-Co Solutions, and now CFM -- Northeastern Indiana has had a string of jobs announcements in recent months. Once again, we are showing that Hoosiers can successfully compete for jobs anywhere in the world,” said Daniels.

The Canada-based manufacturer has already begun adding new engineers, managers and laborers to its current 297-person workforce here in preparation for the expansion.

“Our Huntington location is perfectly situated to serve our customers in the United States,” said Larry Robinette, CFM President and chief executive officer. “Since many of our customers are located in the Midwest and Northeast, manufacturing in and shipping from Huntington is the right decision for CFM as well as its customers.”

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered the company up to $2.4 million in performance-based tax credits and up to $145,000 in training grants based upon the company’s announced job creation plans. The City of Huntington offered the company property tax abatement worth more than $637,000.

“CFM has a long history in Huntington and with this announcement we know they will continue to be a cornerstone of our community for decades to come,” said Mayor Terry Abbett.

The announcement of CFM’s expansion in Huntington is the 74th competitive project completed this year by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. Since the beginning of the year, 74 companies have committed to creating more than 9,700 jobs and investing more than $1.9 billion to locate or expand in Indiana.

About CFM Corporation

CFM is a leading integrated manufacturer of home products and related accessories in North America. CFM designs, develops, manufactures and distributes a line of hearth, barbecue and outdoor products. CFM maintains an ongoing program of research and development aimed at continually improving the quality, design, features and efficiency of its products. For more information about CFM, visit www.cfmcorp.com.

About IEDC

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation is the state’s premier entity charged with economic development. The IEDC has a 12-member board chaired by Governor Mitch Daniels. Indiana Secretary of Commerce Nathan Feltman is also chief executive officer of the IEDC. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.IN.gov.

Source: Indiana Economic Development Corp.