SMC plans $19M Noblesville expansion, 163 jobs
SMC Corp. of America plans to spend $19 million to expand its North American headquarters in Noblesville, making room for an additional 163 employees by 2017, the company announced Tuesday.
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Russian investor gives Ener1 fresh start
A Russian timber tycoon who poured millions into a battery maker with Hoosier roots is the new owner of Ener1 Inc. Boris Zingarevich supplied $50 million for Ener1’s March 30 exit from bankruptcy and is moving its headquarters from New York to Indianapolis—already home to its core subsidiary, EnerDel.
Defender Direct founder steps down as CEO
Defender, which sells and installs home-security and satellite systems, said company President Marcia Barnes has replaced David P. Lindsey as CEO. Lindsey will retain majority ownership of the company he founded in 1998.
Young Indy-area tech entrepreneurs enjoy deep support
MyJibe co-founder Mike Langellier is among a new generation of tech entrepreneurs in the Indianapolis area that benefits from a host of support their predecessors never enjoyed.
Indianapolis man awarded $5.6M in factory accident
Ronald W. Hargis lost four fingers from his left hand and underwent a dozen surgeries after being injured by a compression roller while testing new equipment at Flutes Inc. in Indianapolis. Hargis sued the North Carolina manufacturer of the equipment.
Local automobile dealers enjoy big month of sales
New car sales nationally rose about 13 percent last month as consumers replaced aging vehicles and took advantage of cheap financing. Sales were way up for many Indianapolis auto dealers.
Developer envisions $20M farming operation to replace plant
A local entrepreneur is laying the groundwork for a $20 million transformation of a soon-to-close automotive plant into a sustainable farming operation that would raise fish and hydroponic vegetables.
Whirlpool agrees to pay state $800,000 for job losses
Appliance maker Whirlpool Corp. has agreed to pay Indiana $800,000 after failing to maintain employment levels called for in an economic development incentives agreement.
Techies pressing again for direct Silicon Valley flights
High-tech firms have been clamoring for a couple of decades for nonstop flights between Indianapolis International Airport and California’s Silicon Valley. One of Indiana’s tech icons made it clear recently that the need is as urgent as ever.
Cummins lures job candidates with virtual tour app
The idea is to send middle and high school students the message that there are plenty of jobs in engineering.
Investors still may clean up on some clean-tech bets
The spectacular flameouts of some startup firms underscores the risk of relying on infusions of federal money to keep a business viable.
Startups launch apps to facilitate good deeds
Two startup firms, Cause.It LLC and Trensy LLC, have created tools that link charitable behavior and consumption. Like the hit app Foursquare, the newcomers encourage users to “check in” when they show up at events or complete activities so they can earn rewards offered by local businesses.
Manufacturers prowling for skilled workers
Factories laid off droves of workers during the recession but now struggle to find tech-savvy employees during the recovery.
Westfield seat-belt maker plans to add 65 workers
Westfield-based safety company IMMI said it plans to hire more than 65 full-time workers and 50 temporary employees to keep up with demand for lap and shoulder belts for school buses.
Wabash National shares rise on $360M deal
Shares of Indiana-based Wabash National Corp. jumped Tuesday after the maker of truck trailers said it would diversify its business by purchasing liquid-transportation company Walker Group Holdings LLC for $360 million.
Promised tariff cuts could spur Indiana exports to China
Indiana logistics firms and their manufacturing clients could gain new export opportunities to China if the country follows through on plans to reduce taxes on imported goods.
Cummins boom drives up demand for apartments
A hiring boom at engine maker Cummins and the economic recovery are leaving many people in search of apartments out in the cold in Columbus.
State’s largest private company plans to go public
Evansville-based Berry Plastics Group Inc., a container maker owned by funds affiliated with Apollo Global Management LLC, on Friday filed to sell up to $500 million of stock in an initial public offering.
Manufacturer expanding northeast-Indiana operations
Busche Enterprise Division Inc. said it will spend about $17 million to buy, expand and equip a factory near its headquarters in the Noble County town of Albion, adding up to 120 workers by 2015.
N.K. Hurst’s unsexy beans fill bottom shelf, bottom line
N.K. Hurst Co. Inc. sells roughly 20 million packages of dried beans and bean soup mixes a year, from the West McCarty Street packaging plant it has operated since 1938. It has only about 50 employees, but its products are ubiquitous in the grocery industry.