Metaldyne and Star Engineering Expanding in Bluffton

Metaldyne set to add new jobs at local facility

March 6, 2013 — By CHET BAUMGARTNER

Bluffton Common Council members unanimously approved a new 10-year tax abatement Tuesday for Metaldyne that could possibly create up to 35 new jobs, company officials say.

The abatement will allow the company to expand its machinery and assembly as well as install machinery.

Essentially, said Diane Johnson, the project manager and financial administrator for the Wells County Economic Development Corporation, Metaldyne will use the equipment to manufacture car parts for Ford and GM in France and the United States. The company will spend $14.3 million on the equipment upgrade.

Representing Metaldyne Tuesday night was Karen Bensman, the Bluffton plant controller, and Mark Yost of Diversified Property Solutions.

According to documents filed with the city, Metaldyne should have the equipment ready by June. The equipment will add 20 primary full-time jobs, and company officials hope they can eventually hire another 15 after that.

Council members also approved seven abatement compliance forms for Star Engineering, and they approved a new abatement for Star to purchase equipment to replace equipment purchased in the 1990s, said Star representative Tom Steffen.

The company will invest $177,750 in two lathes with loaders, it stated on its formal statement of benefits.

The new equipment will not add any jobs, Steffen said.