Anodizing Startup Building in Fort Wayne

Photo courtesy of Greater Fort Wayne Inc.

A startup aluminum anodizing company has announced plans to build its first location in Fort Wayne. Greater Fort Wayne Inc. says Northern Indiana Anodize will invest nearly $7 million to build the facility and create up to 48 jobs by the end of 2021.

Construction on the 47,000-square-foot facility is scheduled to begin in August and be complete in March 2019. The facility will be located on Bluffton Road in Fort Wayne, just off I-469.

"With the economy growing, we’re seeing companies changing from steel parts to aluminum for weight and performance purposes," said Bruce Fogler, chief financial officer at NIA. “We know there’s a high demand for anodizing providers and a shortage of large-tank anodizing facilities, so we’re starting this company to provide high-quality services in a growing industry."

Anodizing is the process of dipping aluminum parts into multiple chemical baths to increase wear resistance and corrosion protection. NIA’s new facility will include 32-foot tanks to accommodate aluminum parts up to 30 feet in length, according to GFW. 

NIA says the facility will serve the automotive, construction, boating and industrial markets in the Midwest region.

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. has offered NIA up to $250,000 in conditional tax credits, which the company will be eligible to claim once Hoosiers are hired. Northeast Indiana Works is providing additional hiring and training assistance.