Area Development
UGN Inc., a manufacturer of automotive parts, will invest $3 million to expand its operations in Valparaiso, Indiana, according to the Indiana governor's office. The company plans to add 100 new jobs over the next five years as it expands its manufacturing floor space and launches new products. UGN, a joint venture between Japan-headquartered Nihon Tokushu Toryo Co. and Switzerland-headquartered Rieter Automotive Systems, produces interior trim and thermal management products for the U.S.-produced vehicles of Japanese manufacturers. "UGN continues to grow and celebrate successes in a very challenging economic environment," says Randy Khalaf, UGN's chief financial officer. "Our Valparaiso facility is seeing incredible expansion and is well-positioned with new product and technology to see further growth once the global economy starts so show signs of recovery." The state has offered UGN up to $700,000 in performance-based tax credits and up to $50,000 in training grants, contingent on job creation; the city will provide additional property tax abatement.