Canadian-based AVG North America Inc. will locate its first United States manufacturing plant, 78 miles north of Indianapolis, in Gas City, Indiana.

The company is currently leasing the 52,000 square foot former Custom Assemblies building for this operation, located in the Gas City industrial park at 5133 Eastside Parkway Drive. AVG’s manufacturing investment will create 12 new jobs, with growing employment numbers expected to follow by year’s end, according to local officials.

“AVG is excited to launch its US facility in Grant County,” said Ayaz Somani, AVG Group CEO. “Being in close proximity to our customer and supplier facilities in neighboring states, Grant County offers a highly skilled workforce as well as access to one of the best logistics hubs in the country. We look forward to aggressively growing our business at our new U.S. hub, and enjoying a long and mutually beneficial relationship with the local government, the business community and the people of Indiana.”

Gas City is AVG’s first U.S. operation and will service automotive manufacturers throughout the country. AVG’s new plant will be producing a range of automotive accessories, including interior lighting, exterior lighting, illuminated & non-illuminated kick plates, tailgate power locks & rearview mirrors.

AVG North America is a subsidiary of AVG (OEAM) Inc., a Canadian company in the supply chain management of Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive accessories to leading car Original Equipment Manufacturers. In business for over fifteen years, the company has supplied innovative and trend defining car applications in the areas of cosmetic enhancements and functionality improvements. Its OEM clients include GM, Nissan, Infiniti, Lexus, Toyota, Hyundai and Kia.

“Indiana provides the perfect environment for auto suppliers like AVG to thrive,” said Jim Schellinger, Indiana Secretary of Commerce. “As AVG ramps up its new Indiana operations, it will have direct access to one of the nation’s strongest manufacturing workforces in the nation, with one in every five Hoosiers working in the industry. We’re excited to welcome AVG to Indiana, and look forward to watching the company grow and thrive here in the state over the coming years.”

“It is exciting to see another manufacturing business establish roots in Grant County,” said Bill Gartland, President of the Grant County Economic Growth Council. “We look forward to a long-term partnership as AVG becomes a part of the community.”