Area Development
Sauder Manufacturing Co., which produces build-to-order seating and casegoods products for the health care, higher education, human services and worship markets, plans to expand its operations, 7 miles east of Fort Wayne, in New Haven, Indiana. The company plans to create up to 60 new jobs by 2021.

The company, which currently operates five facilities 12 miles away in Grabill, Indiana, will invest more than $3 million to lease and equip a 165,000-square-foot-facility at 10801 Rose Ave. in New Haven. Located just 12 miles away from its current campus, the new facility will more than double the company’s production and office space, enabling Sauder Manufacturing to enhance its overall work environment, to improve production work flows and logistics access to serve customers nationally, and to provide capacity for its continued growth, particularly in the healthcare market. The company plans to begin work on the new facility this summer and anticipates completing the relocation in late 2017.

“The health care market is significant and growing part of our total business," said Phil Bontrager, President & CEO of Sauder Manufacturing. "A series of successful new products have accelerated our company's growth. The overall business climate and the availability of a capable pool of individuals make northeast Indiana an attractive business environment for us."

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) offered Sauder Manufacturing Co. up to $300,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $60,000 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans. These incentives are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The local community will provide additional hiring and training assistance through Northeast Indiana Works.

"As a state, Indiana has worked diligently to establish a pro-growth business climate that is now recognized as one of the top five in the U.S.," said Indiana Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger. "Under the leadership of Governor Eric J. Holcomb, we will continue to make job creation a priority by investing in infrastructure, education and workforce development to support the continued growth and success of businesses like Sauder Manufacturing."