Indiana Attracts Another Illinois HQ
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA dough processing machine manufacturer is joining a growing list of Illinois companies planning to move operations to Munster. AM Manufacturing Co. is looking to invest nearly $2.3 million to relocate its headquarters to the northwest Indiana town and create 40 jobs by 2016. The announcement follows plans by Tech Air Inc. to place its headquarters in Munster and Illinois-based MAC Medical Supply Co. Inc. to expand in the town. The Air Tech and MAC Medical Supply announcements have been made over the past six months and could lead to around 300 jobs. Carl Buddig & Co also intends to add more than 50 workers as part of its expansion into a former Dawn Foods facility.
March 11, 2014
News Release
MUNSTER, Ind. – AM Manufacturing Company, a dough processing machine builder for the food industry, announced plans today to relocate its headquarters from Dolton, Ill. to here, creating up to 40 new jobs by 2016.
The company will invest $2.28 million to lease, renovate and equip a 56,800 square-foot facility located at 9200 Calumet Ave. in Munster. The new facility, which will be operational this summer, will allow the company to move previously contracted work in house, as well as build a larger showroom to display machines for customers.
“When companies compare the cost of doing business between states, they quickly discover the competitive advantage they gain in Indiana,” said Victor Smith, Indiana Secretary of Commerce. “With our low tax climate, companies have the freedom to invest more of their earnings back into their operations. Add in our central location and skilled manufacturing workforce, and Indiana stands out as a state that works.”
AM Manufacturing, which currently employs 30 full-time associates, plans to begin relocating jobs from its Dolton, Ill. facility and recruiting for assembly, electrical and machining positions later this year.
“We are a growing company adding square footage to make a more clean and efficient work flow to lower costs and improve output efficiency,” said Holly Rentner, co-owner of AM Manufacturing.
AM Manufacturing was founded by Harold Atwood in 1961, when the company established its role in the baking industry with the development of the Scale-O-Matic Dough Divider, turning tedious manual tasks into efficient processes. Today the company continues to manufacture dough processing machines, which allow pizza crusts, tortilla shells and bagels to be mass-produced. A family-owned business and certified Women’s Business Enterprise, AM Manufacturing serves bakeries, commissaries, restaurants and pizza parlors around the world.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered AM Manufacturing Company up to $400,000 in conditional tax credits based on the company's job creation plans. These incentives are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority supports the project through its Deal Closing Fund. The town of Munster approved additional incentives.
“The town of Munster is very pleased when an established company such as AM Manufacturing decides to move to our community,” said John P. Reed, president of the Munster Town Council. “Town officials understand that such a move is never an easy decision for any company, and the town is very grateful that they chose Munster as their new base of operations. We look forward to working with AM Manufacturing in the future, and we are proud to welcome them to Munster. The state of Indiana and the Regional Development Authority have created an environment of cooperation that has increased, exponentially, our ability to attract business.”
AM Manufacturing's announcement follows decisions from several Illinois companies, including Tec Air, Mac Medical Supply Company and Carl Buddig & Company, that announced plans to relocate operations to Munster. Together, these companies project to create nearly 400 new jobs, with investments of more than $19.6 million in the Hoosier State.
About AM Manufacturing
For over fifty years, AM Manufacturing has been the leading manufacturer of labor saving equipment for the pizza, tortilla, bagel and baking industries.
Our commitment to quality has been reflected by the responsiveness to our customers and their specific needs. We strive for peak performance and are proud of the long-standing relationships we have established with some of the top names in the industry. By combining quality products and cutting edge innovation with service and dedication to our customers, AM Manufacturing has been at the forefront of the baking industry and will continue to be well into the second millennium. For more information, visit www.ammfg.com.
About IEDC
Created in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Mike Pence. Victor Smith serves as the Indiana Secretary of Commerce and Eric Doden is the president of the IEDC.
The IEDC oversees programs enacted by the General Assembly including tax credits, workforce training grants and public infrastructure assistance. All tax credits are performance-based. Therefore, companies must first invest in Indiana through job creation or capital investment before incentives are paid. A company who does not meet its full projections only receives a percentage of the incentives proportional to its actual investment. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.
Source: Indiana Economic Development Corp.