Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Thursday, November 17, 2016
(BLOOMINGTON) -Â Tsuchiya Group North America, a supplier of plastic molded components, printed/formed graphics and traded products for the automotive and transportation markets, announced plans today to expand its operations in Indiana, investing $9.2 million to construct a new headquarters and R&D center in downtown Bloomington.
"In Indiana, we are proud to be home to an international economy with nearly 800 foreign-based businesses like Tsuchiya Group operating in the Hoosier state," said Governor Mike Pence. "As a state, we have worked hard to build a business climate that now ranks first in the Midwest and fifth in the nation by cutting costs, taxes and regulations. Tsuchiya Group's decision to expand and grow here in Indiana signifies a confidence in our fiscally-predictable economic environment and, more importantly, in our hardworking Hoosier workforce."
Tsuchiya Group, which operates four TASUS Corporation manufacturing facilities, will build the new facility to serve as its first North America engineering and design center, supporting the company's manufacturing operations across the U.S. and Canada. The new headquarters will allow the company to advance its products, develop new processes and enhance its services to customers, including leading manufacturers like Toyota Motor Corporation, Tesla Motors, Honda Motor Co. and Subaru of Indiana Automotive.
The company plans to break ground on the new facility in 2018 in Bloomington's Trade District also known as The Certified Tech Park. As part of its growth, Tsuchiya Group plans to create up to 18 new jobs by 2020 at its Bloomington headquarters, which currently houses approximately 34 associates.
"Indiana is a state that has made economic development and creation of Hoosier jobs a priority," said Melanie Walker Hart, chief executive officer of Tsuchiya Group North America. "For Tsuchiya Group and TASUS, this is an ideal location to open a manufacturing technical and design center. We are surrounded by the likes of Ivy Tech, the Hoosier Hills Career Center, Vincennes University and of course Indiana University. Since beginning operations in 1989 with nine employees, we have grown to nearly 600 in North America, with over 200 of those talented individuals coming from right here in south central Indiana. The city of Bloomington and Indiana University's partnership in the development of the Trades District is an excellent example of how a city can grow its local economy through increased technical-based job opportunities."
Tsuchiya Group is the North American division of Japan-based Tsuchiya Co. Ltd. and employs nearly 600 associates, including more than 200 in Indiana. The company expects to begin hiring for engineering at all levels, including interns, as well as sales and executive positions in 2018.
"This is an exciting day for Bloomington. TASUS is a proven company with deep roots in this community," said Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton. "We are deeply gratified that they have chosen to locate their North American design and development center and corporate headquarters in the Bloomington Trades District. This tech-savvy employer will, we hope, inspire additional investment in the area and bring the kind of vibrant energy and 21st century jobs we want to see there."
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered TASUS Corporation up to $300,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $43,750 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans. These incentives are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The city of Bloomington will offer additional incentives.
Tsuchiya Group is one of more than 260 Japanese business facilities that operate in Indiana today, supporting more than 53,000 Hoosier jobs. Among all U.S. states, Indiana has the largest amount of Japanese investment per capita and is the only state that is home to three Japanese automotive original equipment manufacturer companies.
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