Nishikawa Cooper LLC to Expand Operations in Topeka
Nishikawa Cooper LLC to Expand Operations in Topeka
Topeka, IN. (June 08, 2012) — Nishikawa Cooper LLC and the LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation, in conjunction with the Town of Topeka, are excited to announce the expansion of Nishikawa Cooper LLC at their manufacturing facilities in Topeka, IN.
— Nishikawa Cooper LLC and the LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation, in conjunction with the Town of Topeka, are excited to announce the expansion of Nishikawa Cooper LLC at their manufacturing facilities in Topeka, IN.
Nishikawa Cooper LLC, a joint venture between Cooper Standard Automotive and the Japan-based Nishikawa Rubber Co. manufactures dynamic sealing systems for both foreign and domestic automotive customers, including Honda, Nissan, Chrysler, Toyota, Subaru, and Mazda amongst others. Nishikawa Cooper LLC is headquartered in Topeka, IN, and also has a manufacturing facility in Bremen, IN.
The project will include the purchase of approximately $5.5 million in new manufacturing equipment that was necessitated by the growth in the automotive market, and will include new rubber-extrusion lines and associated equipment. The project is expected to support the creation of up to 15 new jobs paying at least $14/hour in addition to the retention of 435 current employees at their Topeka location. The Town of Topeka council, at the request of the LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation, approved the use of personal property tax abatements on the investment into the new equipment at their June 4th meeting.
"The new equipment will give us the needed production capacity to fill demand for our dynamic sealing systems," said Mike Talaga, Vice-President and General Manager of Nishikawa Cooper LLC. "This demand is being driven by the both the resurgence of the foreign automotive markets as well as our competitive pricing, and we are glad to make this investment locally. We have enjoyed a great relationship with Topeka and LaGrange County over the years, and we are happy to continue to build upon it."
"Nishikawa Cooper LLC has been a great partner in the Town of Topeka and were excited that they have continued to expand their operations within LaGrange County" said Keith Gillenwater, President & CEO of the LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation. "Nishikawa Cooper LLC is one of our largest employers in LaGrange County, and a cornerstone of our Tier-1 automotive supply chain in LaGrange County and Northeast Indiana."
About the LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation
The LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation, established in 2009, is a 501(c) 3 corporation designed to assist with business development needs. The LCEDC partners with local, regional, state, and federal agencies to attract, retain, and develop new businesses and entrepreneurs in LaGrange County and its communities. For more information about the LaGrange County EDC, please visit www.lagrangecountyedc.com or call us at 260.499.4994.
About Nishikawa Cooper LLC
Topeka, Indiana based Nishikawa Cooper LLC (NISCO) is a joint Japanese-American venture between Nishikawa Rubber Company of Hiroshima, Japan and Cooper Standard of Novi, Michigan. Founded in 1986 in Topeka, IN, the company is a Tier I supplier of dynamic rubber weather-stripping to the automotive industry, and has attained Ford Q-1, TS 16949, ISO 9001, and ISO 14001 designations.
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