Manufacturer plans $8 million plant, 87 jobs in Westfield

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A locally based subsidiary of Japan-based Toyota Industries Corp. plans to spend $8 million to build a factory in Westfield that is expected to employ 87 workers by the end of 2020.

Bastian Solutions announced Monday that it plans to build a 90,720-square-foot building east of U.S. 31 near 196th Street. The facility will be used to manufacture a variety of automation products for the material-handling industry.

Bastian, founded in 1952 by Elgan Stark, produces material-handling automation, supply-chain software, industrial controls and robotics. The company already has a factory in Greenfield, which handles the company’s custom automation group. It will remain in operation.

The company's corporate office is currently located at 10585 N. Meridian St. in Carmel, but it has an Indianapolis post office address.

Toyota Industries announced in February that its Toyota Advanced Logistics Solution division had acquired Bastian for $260 million, but Bastian continues to operate under the same name.

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered Bastian up to $1 million in tax credits and up to $88,750 in training grants based on the job-creation plans. The incentives hinge on the company's ability to meet hiring goals.

Average wages for the new manufacturing and engineering positions were not disclosed. The city of Westfield is expected to consider additional incentives.

Bastian has 600 employees worldwide, including 120 in the Carmel/Indianapolis area and 85 in Greenfield. It also has Indiana offices in Fort Wayne and Evansville. The company has 20 U.S. offices and international locations in Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Mexico and Spain.

The announcement follows Gov. Eric Holcomb's recent economic development trip to Japan, where he met with officials from Toyota Industries. 

"Indiana's pro-business reputation continues to be heard loud and clear across the globe," Holcomb said in a written statement. “That is the message we heard in Japan last month while meeting with top businesses like Toyota Industries, and I am excited to join Bastian Solutions today as we celebrate the continued impact that global firms have on the state’s economy and Hoosier jobs.” 

The new facility will be in NorthPoint, a massive mixed-used development formerly known as Aurora. The Westfield City Council approved plans for the 300-acre office, retail and residential project in January.

Construction on the Bastian building is expected to start next month. Completion is slated for early next year, with production beginning by June.

The building will include 10,000 square feet of office space. The advanced manufacturing operations will use the Toyota Production System to reduce waste and improve quality and efficiency. 

Bastian's clients include Boeing, Newegg, Best Buy, Puma, Amway and Roche Diagnostics. Its products include ZiPline Conveyor, Rogue Composite Pallets and Exacta supply chain software.

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