Sellersburg Manufacturer Looking to Grow

(photo courtesy of Owings Patterns)

A Sellersburg-based thermoforming tooling and production company is looking to grow its southern Indiana operations. Owings Patterns Inc. says it plans to invest $445,000 to add new equipment at its facility in the Clark County town and create up to 12 jobs over the next five years.

In addition to the tooling and production services it provides for the thermoforming industry, Owings Patterns provides prototype, production and engineering services for heavy and thin-gauge plastic thermoform and vacuum-formed parts, according to One Southern Indiana, the chamber of commerce and economic development organization for Clark and Floyd counties.

The company is seeking a tax abatement for the project from the Sellersburg Town Council, a decision on which could be made on Monday.

“The project plan is to purchase a Soncorpwhite series 2500 thermoformer, capable of handling larger formats, thin-gauge thermoforming for packaging and shipping container part production. The expansion in thin-gauge thermoforming production will ultimately expand our tooling demands,” Bob Owings, president of Owings Patterns, said in a news release.  “We appreciate the Town of Sellersburg considering our request and anticipate the support and value-add Owings Patterns provides to the community to continue for years to come.”

The company currently employs 22 workers and says the new jobs would come with wages 17% higher than the county’s average hourly wage.

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. has offered Owings Patterns up to $100,000 in conditional tax credits, which the company will not be eligible to claim until Hoosier workers are hired for the new jobs.

“This is an exciting time in Sellersburg,” said Town Manager Charlie Smith. “Not only is attracting new business to town a top priority of this council, but so is retaining and expanding our current businesses. The council’s consideration of support of this expansion shows the business community Sellersburg is open for business. The time of Sellersburg following our neighbors has passed, this council wants to be the leader.”