Touché Controls Expanding Operations in Fort Wayne
Touché Controls Expanding Operations in Fort Wayne
Automated lighting controls company adds 21 jobs; invests $1.5 million
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (February 28, 2012) — Touché Lighting Controls, a new product line of ESI Ventures, is planning to expand its operations at its existing facility located at 902 Incentive Drive. Touché Controls has developed an automated lighting control system targeted at new and retrofitted commercial construction. The focus of this system is energy savings, ease of installation and integration. In 2012, Touché Controls will be expanding its line to integrate security, heating/ventilation, personnel access, and audio/video control lines. The company will invest $1.5 million over the next three years to provide a level of integrated automation that is not currently available in the marketplace.
Touché Controls currently employs 7 full-time and 1 part-time workers. By the end of 2013 the company will add 16 full-time and 5 part-time employees. The Alliance met with Touché Controls and connected the innovative company to Elevate Ventures, which operates one of its three regional branches in the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center. Elevate Ventures nurtures and develops emerging and existing high-potential businesses into high-performing, Indiana-based companies.
“Touché Controls has been working with Elevate Ventures through its economic gardening program to allow the company to continue expanding its presence in the marketplace,” said Robert Clark, entrepreneur-inresidence of Elevate Ventures. “Additionally, we hope that our experienced staff will help Touché complete a national marketing strategy.”
“We would not have been able to accomplish what we have without the talented and dedicated individuals that have worked on this project. All of which are from Indiana, might we add," said Michael Picco, president of Touché Controls. “This just proves that Hoosiers can design, develop, manufacture, and soon market on a national scale, a highly technical product that adds great benefit to our national infrastructure, namely commercial and industrial facilities.”
Touché Controls and ESI Ventures were established three years ago by Engineered Systems, Inc. Engineered Systems is an electrical construction company specializing in commercial and industrial electrical construction. It was through this association that co-owners Michael Picco and Ronald Laux formed Touche to develop a commercial lighting control system that was focused on addressing the shortcomings of systems already in the marketplace.
“We have worked hard to create opportunities for progressive Fort Wayne companies like Touché Lighting Controls to grow and expand,” said Mayor Tom Henry. “It’s great to see them take advantage of the programs offered through Elevate Ventures.”
“Touche Lighting Controls is a valued member of the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce," said Mike Landram, president/CEO of the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce. "We are proud to see them expand within the community. This partnership will showcase their creativity and innovation in a way that customers will benefit from.”
About ESI Ventures / Touché Lighting Controls
Touché Controls is a product of ESI Ventures, with the offices and the assembly of the Touché product being in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Touché Controls sells its lighting control systems to commercial and industrial markets across the U.S. and Canada. To learn more about ESI Ventures and Touché Controls, visit www.touchecontrols.com.
About Elevate Ventures
Elevate Ventures nurtures and develops emerging and existing high-potential businesses into high-performing, Indiana-based companies. Elevate Ventures accomplish this by providing rigorous business analysis and robust advisory services that connect companies with the resources businesses need to succeed long-term. As a not-for-profit organization, Elevate Ventures is able to offer unbiased, in-depth perspective and recommendations. To learn more about Elevate Ventures, visit www.elevate-ventures.com.
About the Alliance
The Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance began in 2000 as the lead organization for economic development activities throughout the county. We are a not-for-profit organization supported by Allen County, the City of Fort Wayne, the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce and the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority. The Alliances goal is to further the base employment of Allen County through business retention, expansion and attraction projects. To learn more about the Alliance, visit www.theallianceonline.com.
# # #
'