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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA Japanese manufacturer plans to expand its plant in Morgan County, adding 220 additional workers by 2015, the Indiana Economic Development Corp. announced Tuesday evening.
TOA (USA) LLC, a subsidiary of TOA Industries Co. Ltd., plans to spend $72.1 million to construct and equip an additional 360,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space at its existing facility in Mooresville.
The metal-stamping and automotive suspension-parts manufacturer is planning the expansion in three phases, with the first phase expected to be operational by the end of the year.
The company said it has begun hiring for robotics, engineering and electrician positions.
TOA already has more than 460 full-time employees in Indiana at its only U.S. plant, which opened in 2000. The company’s customers include Subaru of Indiana Automotive in Lafayette and Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America in Princeton.
The IEDC will provide Morgan County with up to $390,000 in infrastructure assistance from the state's Industrial Development Grant Fund.
The town of Mooresville offered additional tax abatement and the Mooresville Redevelopment Commission offered additional workforce training incentives.
In a prepared statement, Gov. Mike Pence said he met with TOA (USA) CEO Shinichi Iizuka in September at the parent company's headquarters in Ota City during an economic development trip to Japan.
“Announcements like today continue to reaffirm that our jobs mission to Japan was well worth the effort," Pence said. "During that trip, we not only deepened Indiana’s bond with Japanese companies like TOA, but also learned how Indiana can build upon its position as a state that works for international investment, fostering continual growth for our expansive network of Japanese automotive manufacturers and their suppliers.”
TOA periodically sponsors trips for Mooresville teachers to travel to Japan to help them learn about Japanese culture.
“We’ve enjoyed building a great relationship with the town of Mooresville and with Indiana,” Iizuka said in a prepared statement. “We take great pride in being able to bring forward the investments that will in turn bring economic opportunities to the community.”
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