Kokomo Manufacturing Rebound Continues

Indianapolis-based Saran Industries LLC has announced plans to set up operations in Kokomo and create up to 60 jobs by 2019. The company will invest nearly $4.5 million to equip and renovate a Kokomo factory that has been vacant since 2008.

Saran says the move will allow it to better serve its industrial manufacturing customers in Indiana and Michigan. The company currently has facilities in Indianapolis and Shelbyville. It plans to hire general labor, quality, material handling, supervision and skilled trades associates at the Kokomo operation. Vice President Nick Saran says the company is "confident in our Kokomo investment and the performance capabilities of the local work force."

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. has offered Saran Industries up to $500,000 in conditional tax credits based on the job creation plans.

The expansion is the latest example of manufacturing’s continuing rebound in Kokomo. Last year, Chrysler Group LLC announced a $266 million investment to boost production at its transmission plants in the city. Earlier that year, Kokomo-based METCO announced the acquisition of Michigan auto parts supplier Standard Starter Drive Co. and plans to move production and distribution to the Howard County city.

The IEDC says the state has added more than 91,000 manufacturing jobs since July 2009.