Region Companies Mark Major Expansions

Pratt Industries has around 130 facilities in the U.S.

Two northwest Indiana manufacturers have cut the ribbon on major expansions. California-based Pratt Industries Inc.’s $260 million investment is expected to create nearly 140 jobs by 2018 and Hoist Liftruck Mfg. relocated from Illinois, which could lead to 500 Hoosier jobs over the next six years.

Pratt’s Valparaiso operation is the company’s largest single U.S. investment in history. The plant will feed another box-making operation in Porter County, which Pratt bills as the largest of its kind in the world. Production at the new facility started in October and it could produce 370,000 tons of paper per year.

Hoist Liftruck announced its move to East Chicago in August. The company produces high-capacity material handling equipment. Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana reported Hoist Liftruck moved into a former military tank component manufacturing plant late last year after Chief Executive Officer Marty Flaska determined the company could save millions moving across the state line.

Governor Mike Pence and Indiana Economic Development Corp. representatives attended the ribbon cutting ceremonies in Porter and Lake counties.