Secretary-Designate Fred Mondragón Announces D.A. Inc. to Bring 42 New Jobs to Santa Teresa

Economic Development Department Cabinet Secretary Designate Fred Mondragón today announced that D.A. Inc, a custom injection-molding parts manufacturer specializing in automotive parts, has signed a lease on a 67,000-square-foot facility located in the Verde Logistics Park in Santa Teresa, NM. The New Mexico Economic Development Department (NMEDD), the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance (MVEDA), NMEDD’s Office of Mexican Affairs (OMA) and the New Mexico Economic Development Partnership have worked closely D.A. Inc. executives on this project over the last nine months.

“I am extremely pleased by what Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance, the Economic Development Partnership and the Economic Development Department have achieved in terms of economic development over the last several years,” said Cabinet Secretary Designate Mondragón. “The D.A. Inc. project is just the latest of many success stories brokered by the leadership in Santa Teresa and Doña Ana County, and their exemplary ability to partner with state and regional agencies, business and industry leaders and the local community.

Steve Vierck, President and CEO of the Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance, said: “It is very exciting any time a well-established manufacturing firm like D.A. Inc. chooses to expand its operations to New Mexico, especially when it happens to be the company’s first out-of-state venture.

Manufacturing operations at the Santa Teresa facility are expected to begin later this month.
D.A. Inc. Plant Manager Jeff Smith said, “D.A. Inc. is excited about our expansion to Santa Teresa. We believe the area will offer an enthusiastic workforce with innovative ideas. We would like to thank Fred Shepard with Mesilla Valley Economic Alliance, Brett Preston with RJL Real Estate, and Dave Majors with The Verde Group for their assistance in our site selection.”

“D.A. Inc. is yet another success of the Maquiladora Supplier Program to attract companies to New Mexico that can benefit from our enormous cross-border trade potential with Mexico,” said Juan Massey, Director of NMEDD’s Office of Mexican Affairs.

“DA, Inc. represents a variety of benefits to the community,” said Jerry Pacheco, Executive Director of the International Business Accelerator. “This development will not only create 42 jobs initially, but will also add another core tenant to the Verde Logistics Park. We welcome DA, Inc. to our community.”

“One of my top priorities as Commissioner for this district is to approach development responsibly; fostering companies involved in manufacturing and production that have the desire and ability to meld with our existing infrastructure. D.A. Inc. is one such company,” said Doña Ana County Commissioner Dolores Saldaña-Caviness.

About D.A. Inc

D.A. Inc. began its operations in Charleston, Indiana in 1989 and has since become one of the most highly recognized, environmentally sound manufacturers in the plastics industry. The company manufactures quality injection molded automotive parts including covers and housings designed to protect vital components, as well as internal dashboard components such as center panels and vents.

In 1995, D.A. Inc. became a Toyota Tier 1 parts supplier. In 2000, the company built a brand new facility in Charleston, Ind., which it then expanded just five years later. The expansion to Santa Teresa, NM is the first out-of-state operation for D.A. Inc.

Project Information

•Direct Jobs: 42 new jobs initially, expanding to 50 within three years

•Average Annual Salary: $30,282 <