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Clear to partly cloudy. Low 62F. Winds light and variable..
Clear to partly cloudy. Low 62F. Winds light and variable.
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), in partnership with Conexus Indiana, announced the sixth round of awards totaling nearly $4 million in Manufacturing Readiness Grants to 43 Indiana businesses, supporting a projected $46.1 million in technology-enabled capital investment across Indiana.
“Manufacturing is in Indiana’s DNA — we build things,” Gov. Eric J. Holcomb said in the announcement. “The demand for the Manufacturing Readiness Grants program has proven time and time again to us that these investments help Hoosiers build things better.”
Started in 2020, the Manufacturing Readiness Grants program was created to stimulate private-sector investments to modernize Indiana’s manufacturing industry. Since then, $17.4 million in grant funding has been awarded to 212 companies in 60 counties, prompting proposed projects with combined budgets of $138.9 million and $22 million in estimated new wages.
"Technologies play a critical role in Hoosier manufacturing and are key as we continue to build a tech savvy economy of the future," Indiana Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers said. "Through the Manufacturing Readiness Grants program, we'll ensure new equipment secures Indiana’s competitive advantage globally, encouraging further capital investment and positioning us to become an even more dominant player in the advanced manufacturing age."
In recently published case studies, Conexus Indiana provides an in-depth look into various completed projects, highlighting business impact and outcomes. These, along with data analysis from applications and surveys, find:
Rather than displacing workers, investments in technology are freeing workers from tedious tasks to perform higher-value, higher-paying functions, according to the announcement.
Awards support modernization at primarily small and midsized firms (average of 165 employees) with long histories of participation in Indiana’s manufacturing economy (average of 37 years in operation).
The most adopted technologies include robotics, cobots, 3D printing and next-generation machines with sensor-enable features such as data analysis, machine learning and artificial intelligence.
About 68% of companies report Manufacturing Readiness Grants have enabled or expanded the scope of technology projects, and an additional 26% say the grant accelerated project timelines.
“The Manufacturing Readiness Grants program is clearly a powerful tool in our work to ensure that Indiana companies, at all levels of the globally competitive supply chain, adopt the new technologies important for the future of Indiana’s manufacturing economy,” Mitch Landess, vice president of innovation and digital transformation at Conexus Indiana, said. “Conexus Indiana’s vision is to affirm Indiana as the center of innovation and digital transformation, and it’s clear we are squarely on the path of achieving that distinction.”
• Marson International LLC (Elkhart County; $162,500 grant award) is a tube fabricator, specializing in large and small diameter tubes for diverse customers in gas and diesel chassis, RV, power generation, mass transit, construction machines and more. The company is investing in robotics and automation for its buffing, bending and cutting processes.
• Ottenweller Company Inc. (Allen County; $110,000 grant award) is a family-owned producer of quality metal fabricated products serving the construction, forestry, defense, medical and material handling industries. The company is investing in a robotic welding system to secure new business.
• Paragon Medical Inc. (Kosciusko County; $105,000 grant award) is a contract medical device manufacturer that produces a full range of components for the global orthopedic and life sciences market, including bone screws, plates, orthopedic implants, endoscopic devices, sterilization trays and more. The company is investing in additive manufacturing, with a focus on metal 3D printing, enabling rapid iteration on patient-specific devices for the medical device market.
• Rathburn Tool & Manufacturing (DeKalb County; $170,000 grant award) uses extensive experience, technology and creativity to provide precision machining of steel, aluminum, brass, stainless steel and cast-iron components for heavy truck, rail, recreation, firearms, construction and various industrial sectors. The company is investing in smart robotics and automation, including cobots, machine vision systems, automatic feeder systems, laser scanners and smart torque guns to increase output and production cycle time while still delivering exceptional quality for new and existing customers.
Riverside Mfg LLC (Allen County; $200,000 grant award) specializes in harsh environment electronics. This includes custom product development, printed circuit board assembly, electronics assembly, industrial labels, metal fabrication, plastic injection molding, over molding, cable and wire harness assembly and instrumentation. The company is investing in an automated, high-capacity production line for next-generation electronics assembly.
• Skinny Guy Campers LLC (Elkhart County; $37,875 grant award) is a manufacturing startup that makes self-contained, truckbed campers with heat, light, water and power that fit most North American pick-up trucks. The company is investing in digitized truck beds measurements with advanced precision to enable custom fitting of camper designs to more truck models.
• Stoutco Inc. (Elkhart County; $75,000 grant award) is a steel fabricator that crafts hot and cold rolled steel as well as stainless, aluminized and aluminum and provides an array of blanking capability including lasers, turret punches and shears. The company is investing in an automated fiber laser cutter to augment its current capabilities and secure new business.
• Talon LLC (Elkhart County; $100,000 grant award) is a manufacturer of fabricated metal products and is investing in fiber laser cutters to enhance workflow flexibility, eliminate the need for oxygen and cutting gases, and reduce energy consumption.
• Vista Plastics LLC (Elkhart County; $60,000 grant award) is a plastics extrusion manufacturer and is investing in smart equipment to automate various steps in its extrusion production line for cutting more precise lengths.
• Walerko Tool and Engineering (Elkhart County; $55,000 grant award) is a manufacturer of precision piece parts, tools, fixtures and special machines for the heavy off-road, military, marine, aerospace and machine tool industries. The company is investing in new technology and enhanced machinery to further automate its machining processes and to increase output for current and new customers.
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