Auto parts supplier in Berne plans to expand, add 51 jobs
By Sherry Slater | The Journal Gazette
An Adams County automotive parts supplier is investing more than $24 million to expand operations and creating up to 51 new jobs in the next two years, state officials announced Wednesday.
FCC (Adams) LLC, which employs 675 in Berne, makes clutches for vehicles with automatic transmissions. The manufacturer also employs 790 at its Portland plant in Jay County, just south of Wells and Adams counties.
Japanese parent company FCC Co. Ltd. supplies Honda, Toyota, Subaru, Ford, General Motors, Fiat Chrysler and BMW, among others. Shinsuke Kambara, president of FCC (Adams), said the expansion is in response to increasing customer demand.
FCC (Adams) will build and equip an 88,000-square-foot addition to its existing facility, which is 436,700 square feet. Groundbreaking is expected in February.
Equipment for the expanded factory floor will include six CNC – or computer numerical controlled – lathes, four CNC drills and an aluminum die cast machine, according to a news release.
FCC (Adams) is hiring hourly production workers, engineers, maintenance workers and supervisors. Wage information wasn't available. Anyone interested may apply in person or online.
The $24 million investment is the company's sixth major expansion since 2003, when it began operations. In 2015, FCC (Adams) officials announced plans to invest $129 million in the Berne facility at 936 E. Parr Road and create up to 73 new jobs by 2016.
The parent company operates 22 plants in 10 countries, including three in the United States.
FCC (Adams) engages in product development in addition to manufacturing.
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered FCC (Adams) up to $400,000 in conditional tax credits based on the company's job creation plans. Northeast Indiana Works could offer training services. The city of Berne will consider additional incentives.
Bill McKean, Berne's mayor, said community members are excited about the upcoming expansion.
“They are a great company,” he said about FCC (Adams). “The city has done everything we can to help them grow, and we are glad it has worked out so well. In turn, they have been an outstanding employer for our community and workers.”
More than 290 Japanese-owned facilities operate in Indiana, according to state officials.
Related Articles:
Global Automotive Clutch Manufacturer Expanding Adams County Operations from Indiana Economic Development Corporation
Manufacturer Planning Expansion in Berne from Inside INdiana Business
Clutch maker adding 51 jobs in Berne from Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly
