PORTAGE, Ind. (April 19, 2016) – Governor Mike Pence joined MonoSol, a Japan-based manufacturer of water soluble polymer films, compounds and solutions, to open its new facility in Portage, Indiana, creating up to 150 new jobs by 2020.
“Study the numbers, and you’ll notice that in Indiana the math adds up,” said Governor Mike Pence. “From a business climate ranked among the best in the nation to an all-around affordable cost of doing business, growing companies know that Indiana offers the ideal formula for success. As an international company, MonoSol had a world of choices when selecting where to locate this new operation. We are happy that the math led them to Indiana, a state that works for business.”
The company, which is a subsidiary of Japan-based Kuraray Co., Ltd., invested $65 million to construct and equip the first two phases of a new 300,000 square-foot manufacturing facility at Ameriplex at the Port in Portage, with an additional $30 million investment planned for phase three. Phase one, which opened today, covers 90,000 square feet and has increased the company’s capacity by approximately 15 percent. Phases two and three are slated for 2017 and 2020. MonoSol, which currently has more than 445 employees, including 300 full-time in Indiana, plans to begin hiring later this year.
“As a member of the global Kuraray team, we examined locations in several continents for this expansion,” said P. Scott Bening, chief executive officer of MonoSol. “Portage, Ind. was chosen over several European locations and other North America locations in Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. Our roots, natural resource availability, workforce confidence, relationships with service providers and the support from the state of Indiana and city of Portage tipped the scales. The city did great job coordinating the necessary supporters. The state also assisted by providing partnership incentives making this growth possible in Indiana.”
According to the 2014 Manufacturing and Logistics Report Card issued by Conexus Indiana and Ball State University’s Center for Business and Economic Research, Indiana’s manufacturing industry health continues to be strong, with an A in the category for six consecutive years. Indiana leads the nation with the highest share of manufacturing employment per capita.