River Ridge Lands Another Big Deal
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA Swiss automotive technology manufacturer has announced plans to add around 220 workers at a new facility in Jeffersonville. Autoneum intends to locate the operation in River Ridge Commerce Center and begin production next year. The company joins major tenants including Amazon.com Inc. (Nasdaq: AMZN), Standard Register (NYSE: SR) and Catamaran Corp. (Nasdaq: CCT) that have announced expansions and commitments to approximately 2,000 jobs at the 6,000-acre center within the last two years. February 5, 2014
News Release
JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. – One Southern Indiana (1si) today announced Autoneum has chosen Southern Indiana to expand its North American presence to 13 plants, including joint ventures, with a new location in Jeffersonville, Ind. The Swiss-based Autoneum is a global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management solutions for automobiles with locations in Europe, Asia, North America and South America. This new location is expected to create some 220 new jobs and begin production in 2015.
The 300,000 square foot manufacturing and distribution facility, to be constructed by regional developer Crossdock Development, Inc., will be erected at River Ridge Commerce Center. This will create the first presence of a Tier 1 supplier, a direct supplier to OEMs, within River Ridge's complex.
“Indiana has established itself around the world as the location of choice for businesses to invest and create jobs,” said Governor Mike Pence. “Our competitive tax climate, strong workforce and unmatched infrastructure help global companies like Autoneum continue to recognize Indiana as a state that works for business.”
Autoneum CEO Martin Hirzel states, “We are excited to announce this new facility and to become a part of the Jeffersonville and Southern Indiana communities. This expansion of Autoneum's production capacity in order to meet increasing customer demands is further evidence that our lightweight acoustic and thermal management products are indeed valued by our customers, the automobile manufacturers. This is even more so, since Autoneum provides products and technologies which focus on improving vehicle fuel economy and acoustics, a feature which is currently particularly demanded by the OEMs.”
Jeffersonville was selected because of logistics for its customer base, the local labor force and infrastructure availability as well as the outstanding working relationship developed with One Southern Indiana, local officials and the state of Indiana. This exciting news marks the 99th economic development announcement for 1si since the organization's creation in July 2006. 1si is the state-recognized local economic development organization serving Clark and Floyd counties in Southern Indiana.
“This project is a major triumph for Southern Indiana and a good example of the resurgence of the automotive industry,” said Wendy Dant Chesser, President and CEO of 1si. “Autoneum is precisely the type of long-term, job-creating employer we want to attract to our area. We're thrilled they've chosen River Ridge Commerce Center to add to their portfolio thereby adding capital investment, new jobs and enhancing our area's economic vibrancy.”
The region's strengths and its appeal to a global company are being touted by local officials as well.
“To be the site of choice for a company of Autoneum's caliber is a testament to the many advantages the City of Jeffersonville offers a company’s bottom line,” said Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore. “We could not be more excited to welcome automotive related jobs and investment to our growing portfolio of diverse businesses choosing Southern Indiana as the place for success.”
About One Southern Indiana
One Southern Indiana (1si) was formed in July of 2006 as the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development organization serving Clark and Floyd Counties. 1si's mission is to provide the connections, resources and services that help businesses innovate and thrive in the southern Indiana/Louisville metro area.
Since its inception, the organization has evolved to include a three-prong approach to serve its members and investors. Business Resources, as the chamber side of the organization, encompasses membership, signature events and programs which support and encourage business growth; Economic Development works to grow the regional economy through the attraction of new commerce and assists with retention and expansion of existing businesses; Advocacy supports businesses at the government level by engaging in initiatives to preserve, protect and promote a business friendly environment free of obstacles to growth and development of commerce. http://www.1si.org
About Autoneum
Autoneum, with its headquarters in Winterthur, Switzerland, is the globally leading producer of vehicle acoustics and thermal management systems. The company develops and manufactures components, modules and complete systems for interior and engine bay as well as heatshields and underbody shields for automotive OEMs. Customers include leading automobile producers in the key markets of Europe, North America, South America and Asia. Autoneum is represented at about 45 locations in over 20 countries and employs some 9,500 people worldwide, of whom about 30 percent are in North America. The company has been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ticker symbol AUTN) since 2011.
Source: One Southern Indiana
News Release
JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (Feb. 5, 2014) – Autoneum, a global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management solutions for the automotive industry, announced plans today to expand its operations here, creating approximately 220 new jobs by 2018.
The Switzerland-headquartered company, which has a presence in more than 20 countries across the globe, will lease and equip a 300,000 square-foot manufacturing and distribution facility at the River Ridge Commerce Center in Jeffersonville. The new facility expands the company’s North American manufacturing footprint to 13 plants, which includes joint ventures, and will support continued growth for Autoneum with multiple North American OEM customers.
“Indiana has established itself around the world as the location of choice for businesses to invest and create jobs,” said Governor Mike Pence. “Our competitive tax climate, strong workforce and unmatched infrastructure help global companies like Autoneum continue to recognize Indiana as a state that works for business.”
Autoneum, which currently employs more than 9,500 around the world, has begun the process of hiring engineering and managerial positions, with manufacturing hiring to begin toward the end of the year.
“We are excited to announce this new facility and to become a part of the Jeffersonville and Southern Indiana communities,” said Martin Hirzel, chief executive officer of Autoneum. “This expansion of Autoneum’s production capacity in order to meet increasing customer demands is further evidence that our lightweight acoustic and thermal management products are indeed valued by our customers, the automobile manufacturers. This is even more so, since Autoneum provides products and technologies which focus on improving vehicle fuel economy and acoustics, a feature which is currently particularly demanded by the OEMs.”
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Autoneum North America up to $2,000,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $200,000 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. River Ridge Development Authority approved additional property tax abatement at the request of One Southern Indiana.
“To be the site of choice for a company of Autoneum’s caliber is a testament to the many advantages the city of Jeffersonville offers a company’s bottom line,” said Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore. “We could not be more exci