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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

German Seat Manufacturer Invests $3.78 On First U.S. Facility in Elkhart, Indiana

07/09/2012
Kiel NA, LLC, a German-based manufacturer of seating systems for the buses, trains and the transportation industry, plans to invest $3.78 million to establish its first U.S. facility in Elkhart, Indiana, creating up to 62 new jobs by 2015.

The Bavarian company will lease and equip a 20,000 square-foot facility located at 4519 Wyland Drive in Elkhart. As part of the project, Kiel will purchase new machinery and information technology equipment for its facility slated to be operational this fall.

"Indiana is known as one of the top jobs-creating locations in America and international leaders like Kiel continue to prosper in the Hoosier State," said Governor Mitch Daniels. "Our low-tax policies, highly-skilled workforce and expansive infrastructure will keep Indiana at the top of the list of best places to do business."

Kiel plans to begin hiring administrative, engineering, sales and production associates this October., the Indiana Economic Development Corporation said.

"Kiel has become a well-known and trusted strategic partner in the European market. So it only makes sense for us to expand to North America," said Mark Walter, director of finance at Kiel North America. "Indiana is a great location to set up our base of operation due to economic reasons as well its central location in the United States."

As an incentive to attract the firm, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Kiel NA, LLC up to $300,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $150,000 in training grants 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 Elkhart approved additional property tax abatements. "We are excited about Kiel's investment in our community," said Elkhart Mayor Dick Moore. "This is yet another example of an international company finding Elkhart as the ideal location to manufacture and distribute their products throughout North America. Companies around the globe are recognizing that Elkhart has a unique combination of location, workforce and cost of doing business that makes our community second to none. We couldn't be more pleased."

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