Multimatic set to invest $25 million

By Rosa Salter Rodriguez | The Journal Gazette

Multimatic Indiana Inc. on Monday announced plans to grow in New Haven.

The auto parts maker based in Canada has asked New Haven City Council to designate about 52 acres of its property at 2808 Adams Center Road as an Economic Revitalization Area.

That would qualify the company for a tax abatement, depending on the amount of investment and the number of jobs created and retained.

The company said the upcoming investment will be just under $25 million – $8.9 million in real estate and $16 million in manufacturing equipment.

Seventy-five full-time jobs – two in management and the rest in production – will be created. The average salary for the production jobs is $52,000, while the management jobs' average salary is $104,431, according to the application.

The application states the company plans to expand an approximately 125,000-square-foot building to allow additional laser-cutting and welding capacity “to support a newly awarded vehicle platform” for Ford Motor Co., one of Multimatic's customers.

The company also supplies Fiat Chrysler, the application states. 

If awarded, an abatement would reduce taxes about $2.27 million over 10 years. The expansion project should be completed by July, the company says.

From 2009 to 2015, Multimatic's facility was occupied by Vera Bradley, the local women's handbag, luggage and accessories maker.

Multimatic received an abatement on $40 million in equipment in 2017, when it pledged to hire 180 people. The company now has 217 employees, the application states.

Earlier, the company cited proximity to its customer base and its facility in Butler as reasons for locating in New Haven. Hanning & Bean Enterprises, Fort Wayne, owns the facility's land, the application states.

The council will have a public hearing on the matter at 7 p.m. April 9 at the city administration building at 815 E. Lincoln Highway.