Area Development
Jasper Engine Exchange, Inc., known as Jasper Engines, plans to expand its Jasper, Indiana headquarters, creating up to 40 new jobs by 2016.

The engine, drive train component and transmission remanufacturer, will invest $550,000 to update and equip its current 367,000 square-foot facility at 815 Wernsing Road in Jasper, Indiana. The expansion will accommodate Jasper Engines growing alternative fuels division, remanufactured diesel engine related product line and support the increased production of gas engines for the Canadian Postal Service.

Jasper Engines’ latest expansion in southern Indiana is the company’s second in as many years. In 2010 the company announced plans to invest more than $270,000 to relocate two of its out-of-state operations to its Crawford and Dubois county facilities, creating up to 65 new jobs.

“Once again, Jasper Engines is recognizing that Indiana is a cost-effective environment to further grow its business,” said Dan Hasler, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. “Our favorable business climate continues to draw investment and new jobs to all corners of our state and we’re happy that today Jasper is the beneficiary of good news.”

“This expansion and job creation has been made possible by the growth in several areas of our business, among them the diesel engine market, with regard to a new turbocharger line, our alternate fuels division and our gas engine division through a multi-year contract with the Canadian Postal Service,” said Zach Bawel, president of Jasper Engines. “We have witnessed tremendous growth in our 70 years of business, and this is a tribute to not only the quality of our product but also the quality of the many Hoosiers we employ.”

Jasper Engines currently employs 1,700 associates throughout the United States with 1,160 in Indiana. It has already begun hiring additional mechanical, welding, sales and research and development associates in Jasper.

As an incentive, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Jasper Engine Exchange, Inc. up to $150,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $100,000 in training grants 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. In addition, the city of Jasper also supports this project.

“Jasper Engines has been an extraordinary company for the city of Jasper since its founding 70 years ago,” said Jasper Mayor Terry Seitz. “This marks the sixth significant economic development in Jasper this year and we see this as a positive step for not only the associates of Jasper Engines but for the local community of Jasper as well.”