Vestil Manufacturing, a fourth-generation manufacturer, broke ground expanding its operations in Angola and plans to create up to 100 new jobs by 2021.
Vestil groundbreaking."Indiana has worked diligently to build one of the top business climates in the country, where one in five Hoosiers works in manufacturing," said Indiana Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger. "We are proud that Vestil Manufacturing, a fourth-generation manufacturer, continues to call Indiana home, creating Hoosier jobs and taking our state to the next level."
The company whose current product assortment has grown to over 16,000 sku’s spanning 13 unique product categories plans to invest nearly $15 million to expand its Plant 1, located at 2999 N. Wayne St. in Angola, by 8,100 square feet and construct a new 225,000-square-foot fulfillment center located at the corner of Pokagon Trail and Growth Parkway. The new fulfillment center will allow Vestil Manufacturing to service its customers quicker and more efficiently by housing enough in-stock inventory to manage quick-ship products for some of the company’s biggest customers.
"Vestil credits Indiana’s centralized location and Angola’s proximity to major roadways as a major factor in its decision to stay and grow in Indiana," said Barry Trine, president of Vestil Manufacturing. "The strong work ethic and diversified skills of Hoosiers were other determining factors. We are excited to be expanding in Indiana, and are thankful for the continued support of the state and the Angola community."
Vestil Manufacturing currently employs more than 435 people, making it the second-largest private employer in Angola. The company plans to hire for managerial, welding, machinist, packaging, shipping and maintenance positions.
"The City of Angola and the Steuben County Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC) are excited to be a part of the expansion and new jobs being announced at Vestil Manufacturing. Vestil is an integral part of the City of Angola, Steuben County and Northeast Indiana with the good paying jobs they have created over the years and their investment in our community," said Angola Mayor Richard Hickmand and Isaac Lee, executive director of the SCEDC. "Beyond that, Ralph Trine and his family have been great corporate partners through their generosity and giving back to their community in so many ways. Working with the SCEDC, we know this project could have been developed anywhere. We are proud that Vestil has chosen Angola for their next investment in their business."
Vestil Manufacturing, which was founded in 1958 in Albion, Michigan as T&S Equipment, moved to Angola, Indiana in 1982 and currently operates six facilities, encompassing more than 1 million square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space in Steuben County.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Vestil Manufacturing up to $550,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $200,000 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 city of Angola will consider additional incentives at the request of SCEDC.
