Illinois Manufacturer Growing in Fort Wayne Area
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowAn Illinois-based company has announced plans to expand in Allen County. The Indiana Economic Development Corp. says Auto Truck Group will invest more than $6 million to build and equip a new facility in the Stonebridge Business Park in Roanoke and create up to 50 jobs by the end of 2022. The company designs, manufactures and installs truck equipment for customers in a variety of industries.
The more than 72,000-square-foot facility will house Auto Truck Group’s manufacturing operations in addition to new office space. The new plant is expected to be complete by May 2020 and the company will relocate from its current Roanoke facility nearby.
"Our Fort Wayne facility and its employees have played a vital role in our company’s continued success, and as a result of this unprecedented growth, we’ve quickly outgrown our current location," Pete Dondlinger, president of Auto Truck Group, said in a news release. "Fort Wayne is an ideal location for Auto Truck Group, and this new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility will further enhance our production capabilities as we continue to develop customized vehicles for every type of vocational application to meet the needs of our customers."
Auto Truck Group currently employs 76 in Indiana and plans to hire additional technicians to handle electrical, hydraulic and equipment installation for truck uplifts, according to the IEDC. The company was founded more than 100 years ago and employs 900 throughout North America.
The IEDC has offered Auto Truck Group up to $300,000 in conditional tax credits, which the company will not be eligible to claim until Hoosier workers are hired for the new jobs. Northeast Indiana Works will provide additional hiring and training assistance and the Allen County Council is set to consider additional incentives.