Antares Trailer, a supplier of flatbed trailer and intermodal chassis equipment, plans to locate its Midwest hub in Winamac, Indiana, creating up to 42 new jobs by 2017.

The Houston, Texas-based company will lease, renovate and equip a 50,000 square-foot building in Winamac. The facility, which will be operational by March, will allow the company to begin assembling composite flatbed and drop deck trailers for its dealers by April.

“It was important to Antares that we were close to our core dealers, had access to skilled labor and located in a state that understood how to do business,” said Bobby Horton, a Partner with Antares and designer of Antares’ new flatbed trailer. “We are excited about the opportunities we have across our flatbed trailer division, our intermodal chassis division and our parts business. Indiana just fit.”

“There’s a reason why Indiana is called the Crossroads of America,” said Victor Smith, Indiana Secretary of Commerce. “Indiana’s logistics and transportation network is robust, with thousands of railroad miles and millions of freight tons traveling through the state each year. Indiana is the ideal home for equipment suppliers like Antares, growing with the industry and benefiting from the state’s low business costs and skilled Hoosier workforce.”

Antares historically has been involved in the marketing of intermodal chassis and containers, serving logistics companies and transportation equipment dealers across the country. With the creation of this new Midwest hub, the company will be entering the composite flatbed and drop deck trailer market, with plans to produce about 50 trailers a month. With a growing customer base in the Midwest, an Indiana location will also allow Antares to transfer the delivery point for intermodal chassis from Texas to the railhead near its Winamac facility for customers located in the Chicago market, state economic development officials said.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Antares Trailer, LLC up to $225,000 in conditional tax credits 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. The town of Winamac approved additional incentives at the request of Pulaski County Economic Development.

“An entrepreneurial culture is strong here in Winamac and in Pulaski County,” said John Plowman, President of the Winamac Town Council. “With strong infrastructure, great educational institutions and a central location near both Indianapolis and Chicago, our community helps provide companies with the environment they need. We’re excited that Antares chose Winamac and look forward to watching them grow here.”