Flint & Walling Expanding in Kendallville
Flint & Walling gets incentive
Enduring company adding 21 jobs
Posted: Wednesday, May 7, 2014 11:00 pm | Updated: 5:35 am, Thu May 8, 2014.
By Dennis Nartker
dnartker@kpcmedia.com
KENDALLVILLE — The city’s oldest industry is investing nearly $2.2 million in new equipment and creating 21 new jobs.
The City Council Tuesday night approved a resolution granting Flint & Walling Inc. 10 years of phased-in tax abatement on $2,197,200 in new equipment for its facility at 95 N. Oak St.
The company is purchasing 16 new pieces of equipment to expand its capacity, improve efficiency and modernize its operation, according to its abatement application. The new equipment includes CNC machines, CNC lathes, a material X-ray device, grinding, sawing and polishing machines and a shell laser welder.
The 21 new jobs will generate wages of more than $786,000. The company currently has 133 employees manufacturing water pumps, sump pumps, sewage pumps and water conditioning equipment.
Flint & Walling will realize a total of $127,418 in tax savings over the 10 years of phased-in abatement. In the first year the company will have 100 percent abated, the second year 90 percent, gradually descending to 10 percent in the final year of the abatement.
The abatement application states, “Flint & Walling is focused on continuing to invest in our business, building, employees and community.”
The council’s Economic Development Advisory Committee recommended the abatement.
Mayor Suzanne Handshoe said Flint & Walling is the sixth local company to announce expansion plans this year.
“This shows good growth,” commented Councilman Jim Dazey.
In 1866, one year after Abraham Lincoln’s presidency and three years after the city’s incorporation, Flint & Walling began operations on the corner of Mitchell and Oak streets, where it remains today.
Flint & Walling started out manufacturing hand-operated water pumps and Flint & Walling windmills, a revolutionary product that quickly spanned the globe. Many of its workers are third- and fourth-generation employees.
