DE LA FONTAINE Industries, a steel door and frame manufacturer and designer, announced plans to locate operations in central Indiana, establishing a new manufacturing facility in Indianapolis.
"DE LA FONTAINE Industries fits perfectly in Indiana, where we're home to more than 8,500 manufacturing operations and the highest concentration of manufacturing jobs in the nation," said Indiana Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger. "With DE LA FONTAINE Industries' Midwest growth comes new Hoosier job opportunities, and we're confident our skilled workforce will help the company find success in the Hoosier state."
DE LA FONTAINE Industries, which founded its U.S. operations in Woburn, Massachusetts, is investing more than $2.25 million to lease and equip 12,000 square feet of space at 1445 Brookville Way in Indianapolis. The new manufacturing facility will house state-of-the-art production equipment, enabling the company to maintain short lead times and better serve its Midwest clients. This facility, the company's fourth in the U.S., is expected to be operational in February.
To support its Midwest growth, DE LA FONTAINE Industries plans to create up to 20 new jobs in Indiana by the end of 2023. The company is currently hiring for laborers and production assemblers.
“This new facility in Indianapolis is a part of our global strategy, as it will reinforce DE LA FONTAINE’s presence in the Midwest," said Gabriel de La Fontaine, DE LA FONTAINE general manager. ‘’We have worked for many years to expand our presence in the American territory. To satisfy better our customers of this burgeoning market, we realized it was necessary to assert a physical presence in the field.”
Founded in 1968, DE LA FONTAINE Industries is a third-generation family business. The company employs more than 250 associates at its production facilities in Massachusetts, Maryland and Texas. The company's steel doors and steel frames can be found in a variety of diverse locations like the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Colorado State University Stadium as well as schools, residences and industrial facilities around the world. The company's products, which meet the needs of customers as well as safety, sustainability and fire resistance standards, are distributed across North America and Latin America.
“We welcome the addition of DE LA FONTAINE Industries to our thriving manufacturing sector,” said Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett. “This announcement is yet another reminder of how our competitive business environment and vibrant quality of life will continue to attract and retain good jobs.”
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered DE LA FONTAINE Industries up to $125,000 in conditional tax credits based on the company’s job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning the company is eligible to claim incentives once Hoosiers are hired. The city of Indianapolis supports the project in partnership with Develop Indy.
