More than $3.6 million in Manufacturing Readiness Grants were awarded to 44 businesses around the state, including several from the Elkhart-South Bend area.
The Indiana Economic Development Corp., in partnership with Conexus Indiana, announced the fifth round of awards to support a projected $23 million in technology-based capital investment across Indiana.
“Historically, manufacturing has been the bedrock of Indiana’s economy, and Hoosier manufacturers continue to prepare for the future by investing in smart technologies,” said Gov. Eric Holcomb. “Supporting advancements in the manufacturing industry through the Manufacturing Readiness Grants program, Indiana is accelerating our state’s digital transformation, preparing for the economy of the future and creating more opportunities across the state.”
Launched in 2020, program was created to stimulate private sector investments to modernize Indiana’s manufacturing industry. A total of 169 awards have been made to date totaling more than $13.4 million in grants to companies in 54 counties, supporting an estimated $93 million in technology-based capital investment.
The latest grant recipients include companies from 24 Indiana counties and cover a variety of specialties, including entertainment and decor, industrial applications, injection molding and medical devices, the state said.
South Bend-Elkhart area recipients include:
- CART Operations LLC (St. Joseph County; $125,000 grant award), a 1-year-old manufacturer and producer of epoxy-coated materials, is automating its manual spray-painting process by investing in an automated paint system.
- General Stamping & Metalworks (St. Joseph County; $160,000 grant award) is a manufacturer of stamped and fabricated metal parts for the renewable energy, lawn and garden, agricultural equipment and recreational vehicle industries. The company is purchasing a collaborative robot system to operate an existing press brake.
- Genesis Molding Inc. (St. Joseph County; $50,000 grant award), an injection molding manufacturer serving the appliance, automotive, recreational vehicle (RV), electrical and industrial markets, is investing in a state-of-the art molding machine, robotics and automated loading equipment to increase production capacity.
- L.O.F. Inc. (Elkhart County; $50,000 grant award) is a manufacturer and distributor of replacement automotive, industrial and medical products for various brands. The company is purchasing automated equipment to develop new products, increase production capacity and optimize its production changeovers.
- PCA Technologies LLC (Elkhart County; $20,000 grant award) is a manufacturer of custom controls and automation panels for robot cells and other related items. The company is automating its panel drill and cutting and layout process using a cobot.
- Robert Weed Corp. (Elkhart County; $120,000 grant award) is a manufacturer and distributer of wood products, moldings and laminated products as well as supply chain solutions for multiple industries including boats, furniture, kitchen and bath cabinets, RVs and walk-in trucks. The company is implementing a 3D vision system for identifying material and product defects.
- Triangle Rubber and Plastics LLC (Elkhart County; $100,000 grant award) is a custom molder of rubber and plastics serving the automotive, appliance, agriculture, public health and water industries. The company is investing in an upgraded electronic production management system, machine vision systems and advanced robotics to increase efficiency and adapt its products to new customers and markets.
- Trim A Door Corp. (St. Joseph County; $150,000 grant award) is a manufacturer of pre-hung doors and custom millwork and a distributor of door hardware and stair systems. The company is investing in an automated paint line conveyor belt/spray system with machine vision.
Other recipients:
- 80/20 Inc., Whitley County; $150,000 grant award.
- A&A Custom Automation Inc., Vanderburgh County; $25,000 grant award.
- Aegis Sales & Engineering, Allen County; $40,000 grant award.
- Buchan Logging Inc., Adams County; $50,000 grant award.
- Buchan Sawmill Inc., Allen County; $150,000 grant award.
- Creative Works Inc., Morgan County; $75,000 grant award.
- Custom Cast Stone Inc., Hamilton County; $63,500 grant award.
- Decatur Mold Tool & Engineering Inc., Jennings County; $45,000 grant award.
- Decatur Plastic Products Inc., Jennings County; $102,000 grant award.
- DOT America, Whitley County; $100,000 grant award.
- Essentra Packaging U.S. Inc., Marion County; $30,000 grant award.
- FabACab, Henry County; $13,000 grant award.
- First Gear Inc., Allen County; $90,000 grant award.
- Frazier Aviation LLC, Carroll County; $10,000 grant award.
- Fred Smith Store Fixtures Inc., Harrison County; $200,000 grant award.
- IMH Fabrication Inc., Marion County; $140,000 grant award.
- Johnson Plastics & Supply Co. Inc., Vanderburgh County; $35,000 grant award.
- Lear Machining & Waterjet Inc., Bartholomew County; $70,000 grant award.
- Lively Machine Company Inc., Vanderburgh County; $28,500 grant award.
- Med-Mizer, Ripley County; $50,000 grant award.
- Metal Forming Industries, Putnam County; $85,000 grant award.
- Micropulse Inc., Whitley County; $17,125 grant award.
- Northbend Pattern Works LLC, Dearborn County; $43,775 grant award.
- Pinson Manufacturing Company LLC, Delaware County; $50,000 grant award.
- Poseidon Barge Ltd., Adams County; $200,000 grant award.
- Prodigy Mold & Tool Inc., Gibson County; $160,000 grant award.
- Red Star Contract Manufacturing Inc., Whitley County; $100,000 grant award recipient.
- SHIELDS, Morgan County; $60,000 grant award.
- Steiner Enterprises Inc., Tippecanoe County; $25,000 grant award.
- TASUS Corporation, Monroe County; $100,000 grant award.
- Tipton Mills Foods, Bartholomew County; $75,000 grant award.
- Vestil Manufacturing, Steuben County; $175,000 grant award.
- Westfield Steel Inc., Hamilton County; $23,700 grant award.
- Wiley Metal Fabricating Inc., Grant County; $50,000 grant award.
- WishBone Medical Inc., Kosciusko County; $100,000 grant award.
- Wood-Mizer LLC, Ripley County; $150,000 grant award.
Indiana companies are encouraged to review eligibility requirements and submit applications through the Conexus Indiana website.
Grants must be matched by the applicant on a minimum 1:1 basis. Grants undergo a rigorous peer review and recommendation process by a statewide committee of manufacturing professionals representing industry, academia, private equity and more.
