Sauder to add New Haven plant
Up to 60 jobs to be created in $3 million investment
By Lisa Green | The Journal Gazette
Sauder Manufacturing Co., which produces build-to-order seating and casegoods products, will invest $3 million to lease another facility and add up to 60 jobs by 2021, the state's economic development agency said Thursday.
Sauder, which caters to the health care, higher education, human services and worship markets, has five facilities in Grabill.
The new location being leased is at 10801 Rose Ave. in New Haven, 12 miles from its current campus, which the company's website lists as 13737 Main St. in Grabill.
A news release said the 165,000-square-foot facility will more than double the company's production and office space.
“They're basically consolidating them to this new location,” said Abby Gras, spokeswoman for the Indiana Economic Development Corp.
The expansion and investment will help Sauder improve its overall work environment, production work flows and logistics. Work on the new facility should begin this summer, with the relocation completed late this year.
“The health care market is a significant and growing part of our total business,” Phil Bontrager, president and CEO of Sauder Manufacturing, said in news release. “A series of successful new products have accelerated our company's growth.”
Bontrager was not available for comment Thursday.
It's unclear how much the jobs being added will pay. Gras said the state cannot disclose that information.
Sauder Manufacturing Co., which is a subsidiary of Sauder Woodworking Co. in Archbold, Ohio, currently employs 123 full-time workers in Grabill.
New Haven Mayor Terry McDonald said the city is pleased to have Sauder expand there.
Progressive Furniture Inc., a designer and importer of wood bedroom, dining and accent furniture, is also a Sauder Woodworking subsidiary.
Employing more than 2,400 in Ohio, Indiana and Virginia, the Sauder family of companies generates sales of more than $500 million annually.
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered Sauder Manufacturing Co. up to $300,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $60,000 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans.
These incentives are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives.
The local community will provide additional hiring and training assistance through Northeast Indiana Works.
