Illinois Employer Growing in Indiana
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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 auto industry supplier is growing in Porter County. UGN Inc. says it will invest nearly $5 million to expand a Valparaiso facility and add more than a dozen jobs by 2015.
July 15, 2014
News Release
Valparaiso, Ind. — UGN, Inc., a supplier of high-quality acoustic, interior trim and thermal management products to the automotive industry, announced plans today to expand its operations here, creating up to 14 new jobs by 2015.
The Tinley Park, Illinois-headquartered company, a joint venture between Japan-based Nihon Tokushu Toryo Co. Ltd. and Switzerland-based Autoneum, will invest $4.8 million to expand and equip its manufacturing facility in Valparaiso, adding 30,000 square feet to its current 180,000 square-foot operations. With renovations expected to begin next month, the addition of new business will allow UGN to manufacture automotive parts for the next generation Honda Civic and Subaru Impreza.
“The auto industry has found a strong home here in Indiana,” said Eric Doden, president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. “UGN's decision to expand operations in Valparaiso shows why Indiana is a state that works. With our low taxes and highly skilled workforce, companies are free to develop and expand here. When we get down to where the rubber meets the road, companies know what to expect in Indiana—stability, an affordable business climate and unlimited opportunity.”
UGN, which has more than 325 full-time employees in Indiana, plans to begin hiring for manufacturing and technical positions next summer. Interested candidates can apply at ugnauto.com.
“This expansion ensures UGN continues to supply our innovative products to the automotive industry as production continues to grow,” said Peter Anthony, chief executive officer of UGN. “The expansion at our Valparaiso plant is in a central location—and close to our headquarters—and we have a skilled workforce there, which we look forward to expanding.”
With more than $375 million in annual revenue and six locations in the United States, UGN produces dash insulators, engine side parts, carpet systems and seat belt protectors for the Japanese automotive industry in North America. The UGN facility in Valparaiso has been honored multiple years with the Honda Quality Performance Award, the Toyota Achievement Award and the Subaru Quality Achievement Award.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered UGN, Inc. up to $115,000 in conditional tax credits 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. The city of Valparaiso approved additional incentives.
“It is wonderful to see another local business decide that Valparaiso is the right place to invest capital resources and grow,” said Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas. “We value UGN and its current employees, and we look forward to welcoming new employees as result of this investment.”
Indiana leads the nation in manufacturing job growth, adding 13,400 jobs in the industry over the past year. Bolstered by the state’s skilled workforce and affordable business climate, Indiana has added the second most manufacturing jobs in the nation since July 2009.
About UGN, Inc.
Founded in 1986 as a partnership between Nihon Tokushu Toryo Co. Ltd., (Nittoku) and Autoneum Holding AG, UGN Inc. is the preferred producer of high quality acoustic, interior trim, and thermal management products, and a recognized leader in customer satisfaction for the Japanese transplant automotive industry in North America.
UGN has more than $375 million in revenue and the following locations in the United States – Chicago Heights, IL, Farmington Hills, MI, Jackson, TN, Monroe, OH, Somerset, KY, Tinley Park, IL, and Valparaiso, IN, as well as a location in Silao, Guanajuato, Mexico – specializing in manufacturing, research, development, testing, and service support. For more information visit www.ugnauto.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.