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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Smith Brothers of Berne, Indiana, Expands Its Production Campus

06/24/2015
Smith Brothers of Berne, a custom, high-quality residential furniture manufacturer, plans to expand its Operations Complex in Berne, Indiana. The company plans to create up to 266 new jobs by 2021.

Founded in Berne in 1926, Smith Brothers invested $4.5 million to add an additional 110,000 square feet to its existing 215,000-square-foot facility. The two-story addition, which was completed last November, allows the company to operate increased production lines for both fabric and leather upholstered furniture, including stationary and motion sofas, loveseats, sectionals and chairs for the home furnishings industry. Smith Brothers is currently hiring for skilled-trade positions, including fabric and leather cutters, sewers and upholsterers.

“Smith Brothers has been blessed with amazing growth over the last few years because of our constant pursuit of increased quality, customer service, speed of delivery and product selection,” said Steve Lehman, President/CEO of Smith Brothers. “We have a talented team of dedicated employees who never let up in those endeavors. We continue to expand our location in Indiana because Indiana continues to provide us with high caliber individuals that possess a strong work ethic.”

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Smith Brothers of Berne Incorporated up to $1,750,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $200,000 in training grants based on the company's job creation and investment plans. These incentives are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The city of Berne and Adams County also support the project.

“Smith Brothers is a true Hoosier success story,” said Governor Mike Pence. “Founded with humble roots, Smith Brothers today operates a major enterprise, selling Hoosier-built furniture across the country. Indiana is proud to be home to Smith Brothers and other homegrown companies making it big in a business climate built for their growth.”

Launching nearly 90 years ago in a 5,000-square-foot building in the heart of Berne, the company has since grown its local footprint to more than 380,000 square feet across two buildings. Today, Smith Brothers employs more than 420 Hoosiers and sells to retail stores in more than 35 states. Since 2009 the company has grown its sales more than 190 percent.

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