Industrial safety equipment maker in Plymouth to create 54 jobs

By JIM MEENAN, Tribune Staff Writer

Tools

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Oct 22, 2008 at 7:33 AM EST

Story Updated: Oct 22, 2008 at 7:35 AM EST

PLYMOUTH -- Aearo Technologies’ decision to relocate work is Plymouth’s gain and Chickasha, Okla.’s loss.

Aearo Technologies, a 3M Company that manufactures industrial safety equipment, announced Tuesday that it will expand its operations in Indiana, creating 54 new jobs in Plymouth by 2011.

The company is a maker of safety equipment including safety glasses, ear protectors and respiratory equipment.

According to a news release from the Indiana Economic Development Corp., Aearo will relocate work from its Oklahoma production facility to a yet-to-be constructed 25,000-square-foot facility in the city’s Heritage Industrial Park. The move will cost the Oklahoma plant about 60 jobs.

Headquartered in Indianapolis, Aearo Technologies employs more than 90 in Plymouth and will begin hiring production workers, clerical staff and warehouse technicians in the first quarter of 2009 in preparation of the new facility’s opening in late 2009.

“What we are doing is consolidating our operations, transitioning our work currently being done in Chickasha, Okla., to Plymouth,” said Donna Fleming Runyon, a spokeswoman for 3M in a phone interview.

“In today’s economic environment we continue to look for ways to improve our operation’s efficiencies. Moving our operations to Indiana will help us to do that.

“We will be better able to service our customers while we balance our operational efficiencies.”

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered Aearo Technologies up to $350,000 in performance-based tax credits and up to $60,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. The city of Plymouth will consider property tax abatement at the request of the Plymouth Economic Development Corp.

“We welcome this venture, and of course the new employment opportunities that come with it,” said Mayor Mark Senter in the news release.

More Good Stuff

WSBT Weather

icon
Current Temp 42.2
°
More Weather

On Demand

More On Demand

Stock Quotes

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Tonight On WSBTFull Schedule

7.00
Paid Programming
7.30
Jeopardy
8.00
The Mentalist
9.00
48 Hours Mystery
10.00
48 Hours Mystery
11.00
WSBT News
11.35
CSI: NY
12.35
CSI: NY
1.35
CSI: Miami

Question of The Day

Will the new health recommendations for women change your health screening habits?

E-mail your comments. We'll pick some to read during WSBT News at 5.

  • YES
  • NO
Today's Mortgage Rates