Japanese joint venture to build automotive facility in Daviess County

November 16, 2016

WASHINGTON, Ind. (Nov. 3, 2016) – Representatives from the state of Indiana, Daviess County and city of Washington joined executives from Japan-based M&C Tech Indiana today to announce the company’s plans to establish operations in Indiana, creating up to 70 new jobs by 2021.

“As the Crossroads of America, roads mean jobs here in Indiana,” said Jim Schellinger, president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. “While Indiana makes an historic investment into finishing I-69, this interstate is already helping drive employers from around the world to create new jobs here at home. Indiana is a global destination for jobs. Since 2013 alone, more than 45 Japanese companies like M&C Tech Indiana have committed to creating more than 6,400 new Hoosier jobs. Indiana is proud to be the home of a thriving, global economy, and days like today with M&C Tech Indiana will help propel Indiana’s economy forward as we enter our third century.”

The company, which is a joint venture between Moriroku Chemicals and Chubu Chemicals, will invest $4.6 million to build a 40,000-square-foot factory on 6.2 acres off County Road 200 E in Washington to manufacture plastic parts for the automotive industry. Construction of the building is expected to begin this month and be completed in the summer of 2017.

M&C Tech marks the first Japanese investment in the Daviess County region. As part of its growth, M&C Tech Indiana plans to initially hire 25 associates and increase employment to 70 Hoosiers by 2021.

“I stressed to them the new opportunities our community can now provide them with land, labor and logistics thanks to the opening of I-69 and our strategic location at Exit 62 between Bloomington and Evansville,” said Washington Mayor Joe Wellman, speaking of his trip to Japan last February where he visited Moriroku’s Tokyo headquarters. “This is the first Japanese factory to locate along Indiana’s new I-69 segment, and we are thrilled they have chosen our location.”

Indiana has the largest amount of Japanese investment per capita among all U.S. states and is the only state that is home to three Japanese automotive original equipment manufacturers. More than 260 Japanese business facilities operate across Indiana, providing more than 53,000 Hoosier jobs.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered M&C Tech Indiana up to $275,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $40,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. These incentives are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. Daviess County and the city of Washington will consider additional incentives at the request of the Daviess County Economic Development Foundation.

“We have worked diligently to secure this first Japanese investment with the officials of both Japanese joint venture partners and with representatives of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation in Indianapolis and Tokyo,” said Ron Arnold, director of the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation. “We think this initial investment will send a clear message in Japan and the U.S. that Washington and Daviess County are open and ready for more new business.”