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BraunAbility Locates Global Headquarters-Expands Operations in Carmel, Indiana

02/14/2019
BraunAbility, a wheelchair vehicles and wheelchair lifts manufacturer, will invest $7.5 million to locate global headquarters and expand its operations in Carmel, Indiana.

The company will lease 18,000 square feet of office space at the Lakeside Green Business Center and construct a new, 20,000-square-foot Research & Development and Technology Center.

BraunAbility expects to begin operating in the Carmel headquarters by June 2019 and to open its Technology Center in 2020. With its growth, BraunAbility plans to create 68 new jobs in Indiana at its Carmel headquarters and also anticipates creating new positions in Winamac over the next few years.

New positions in Carmel will include roles in accounting, engineering, finance, human resources and marketing, while the company expects to hire for engineering and finance positions in Winamac.

BraunAbility expects to transition some of its current employees to the Carmel headquarters; the majority of those roles are held by workers outside Pulaski County, living in the Indianapolis area and out of state, who are currently commuting to Winamac.

"At BraunAbility, our goal is improving independence and freedom for our customers, we change lives," said Staci Kroon, President & CEO of BraunAbility. "Winamac, Indiana is the birthplace of our company and will remain the heart and soul of the company as its primary manufacturing center. To support our continued expansion, we're excited to announce Carmel as our new, global headquarters. The new facilities will be designed for collaboration and innovation and are key to our long-term recruitment and retention strategies."

According to Indiana Economic Development Corporation, The move is designed to meet increased national and international demand for its wheelchair accessible vans, SUVs and wheelchair lifts.

The company, which was acquired in 2015 by Patricia Industries, a part of Sweden-based Investor AB, currently operates its headquarters operations and manufacturing in Winamac. In order to grow globally, BraunAbility will locate its global headquarters and R&D activities in Carmel, thereby bolstering its existing manufacturing operations in Winamac and ensuring the company's long-term growth in Indiana.

Operations at the new campus will focus on innovation and new product development, supporting and ensuring long-term growth of its manufacturing operations in Winamac, as well as providing support for the company’s dealer distribution channel and development business in Europe.

As an incentive, Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered BraunAbility up to $1.3 million 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. In addition, the city of Carmel is offering additional incentives.

"Indiana has the highest concentration of manufacturing jobs in the nation, and we are thrilled to see companies like BraunAbility planning for their long-term presence throughout the state," said Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch. "BraunAbility is the largest employer in Pulaski County, and this headquarters growth will benefit not just Carmel, but future manufacturing needs in Winamac, providing opportunities for long-term domestic and international growth."

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