Stark Industries Cuts Ribbon in Terre Haute
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowStark Industries officials have marked the opening of a $4 million relocation initiative. The company, formerly Brazil-based JWS Machine Inc., recently moved into a vacant building at the Terre Haute International Airport and is planning to add nearly a dozen workers by the end of the year. Stark already employs 50 at the Vigo County operation. October 17, 2013
News Release
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Stark Industries, formerly JWS Machine, Inc. of Brazil, Indiana, began its move in August to a new location in Terre Haute. A deal struck with the Terre Haute International Airport Authority Board of Directors earlier this year allowed for a 20 year lease of Building 2, the former Ivy Tech Community College facility. The 87,000 square foot building had sat vacant for the past seven years.
The move, that took five weeks to complete, has brought 50 jobs to Terre Haute. Another 10 jobs are expected to be filled by the end of the year. Stark Industries has made a nearly $4 million investment in Terre Haute, including property improvements and new equipment purchases. Referring to an incentive package that included tax abatements and funding for employee training, Mayor Duke Bennett said, “This is a great example of a public-private partnership, the benefits of which will be seen for many years to come.”
Jeff Stark, President of the company, said, “We are all very excited about this move. Our new
facility will allow us to work smarter and more efficiently. It will also allow for an expansion in
both our current markets and new ones to come. Our goal is to not only maintain the level of
service that our customers have come to expect over the past 20 years, but also increase that
service and be able to work in new, innovative ways.” In addition to the physical move, there
has been a change to the company's structure.
Due to the projected growth of the company, it was determined that a new structure needed to be put in place to ensure that the growth is managed effectively. “Additionally, the new structure will allow us to market ourselves in a new way – to be more industry specific,” stated Darrel Zeck, Director of Business Development and Government Affairs for the new parent company Stark Industries. Business will be focused within the aerospace, unmanned systems, medical and heavy industrial fields.
Speaking to a crowd of more than 200, Mayor Bennett said, “In my six years as mayor, this is
the largest ribbon cutting that I've been a part of. This type of support is indicative of the
strength of the company, a company that began just 20 years ago in a two car garage. Through Jeff's vision, the hard work and dedication of his family and employees, we are celebrating a true Hoosier success story.” Grounded by a core set of traditional values, the company will remain privately owned and operated in west central Indiana at the Terre Haute International Airport.
Source: Stark Industries