Foamex International Inc., a leading manufacturer of flexible polyurethane and advanced polymer foam products, announced November 15 that it will consolidate its technical products manufacturing operations in Fort Wayne, Ind., creating 30 new jobs by 2010.
The company will invest more than $10 million to consolidate its Eddystone, Pa.-based technical products manufacturing operations into its existing facility at 3005 Commercial Road during the first quarter of 2008.
"More and more companies are recognizing that Indiana is a great place to do business, and we're glad Foamex selected Indiana for this expansion," said Nathan Feltman, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
Foamex, which currently employs 193 associates in Fort Wayne and nearly 200 in Auburn, Ind., manufactures flexible polyurethane foam for the bedding, furniture, carpet cushion and automotive markets as well as technical foams for diverse applications in industrial, consumer, electronics and transportation industries
"The integration of the Eddystone and Fort Wayne operations is one in a series of steps to globally position our plant assets and expertise to service an increasingly dynamic marketplace," said John G. (Jack) Johnson Jr., chief executive and president of Foamex. "Our Fort Wayne facility is a best-in-class operation and we are making significant incremental investments in people, processes and equipment to facilitate this integration."
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Foamex up to $210,000 in performance-based tax credits and up to $84,000 in training grants. The City of Fort Wayne, through the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance, is considering property tax abatement and a grant of up to $150,000 for upgrades to the company's onsite technology.
"Once again, a high-quality Fort Wayne manufacturer is benefiting from the many business advantages this community offers its employers," said Fort Wayne Mayor Graham Richard. "The retention and growth of existing companies is an important part of our economic development and we are pleased to assist the continued growth of Foamex International in any way we can."