Elkhart-based Great Lakes Forest Products has announced plans to establish a new sister company in Bristol, potentially creating 100 new jobs in coming years.
This story by Rasmus S. Jorgensen originally appeared in the Elkhart Truth.
The new company, Great Lakes Lamination, will produce laminated wood panels. It will invest $7 million to establish operations in Bristol, purchasing and equipping a 115,000-square-foot facility at 1103 Maple St.
The company, which plans to start new production this summer, will largely serve the RV industry.
“We are thrilled to see businesses growing and launching new operations here in the most manufacturing-intensive state in the country,” said Elaine Bedel, president of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. “The establishment of Great Lakes Lamination sets the northern region of the state up for continued success for many years to come.”
Great Lakes Lamination will be led by the leadership team of Great Lakes Forest Products. The company expects to ramp up recruiting efforts in the second quarter of 2019 and to hire between 50 and 100 new positions by the end of 2022.
The IEDC offered Great Lakes Lamination up to $500,000 in conditional tax credits based on the expectations for job creation. The tax credits are performance-based, meaning that until people are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives.
The town of Bristol approved additional incentives based on the company’s plans to create up to 53 new jobs by 2021.