American Stair Corporation, Inc., a manufacturer of steel stairs and railings, announced plans to relocate its Romeoville, Illinois, operations to Hammond, Indiana, creating up to 180 new jobs by 2018.
The company will invest $2.9 million to purchase, renovate and equip a 60,000 square-foot facility located at 3510 Calumet Avenue in Hammond, also adding an additional 12,000 square feet in production space. The facility, which will be operational by the end of March, will undergo renovations while the company gradually relocates production from its Illinois facility over the next year. With its new Indiana operations, the company will consolidate all fabrication into one facility, improving its material flow to increase efficiency and quality.
“Indiana is proud to offer a business climate that is affordable and predictable,” said Governor Mike Pence. “American Stair is gaining a competitive advantage by bringing its operations to Indiana and hiring Hoosiers, benefiting from the lower taxes and balanced budget that make Indiana a state that works for business.”
American Stair, which currently employs more than 140 full-time associates, has already begun hiring detailers, estimators, welders, grinders and layout professionals. Interested applicants may apply by sending a resume to info@americanstair.net.
“Indiana offers the best business environment in the Midwest area,” said Gordon Fitzsimmons, president of American Stair. “It is a state that values businesses that bring working opportunities for its citizens. The key is that Indiana recognizes that government, its citizens and businesses are all connected and must work together to achieve the best possible future.”
Founded in 1956, American Stair focuses exclusively on the design and fabrication of steel stairs and railings. The company custom designs its stair products, each designed for specific building specifications. With its regional sales staff, American Stair directly serves clients around the country. With its new facility easing the company’s customer delivery process, American Stair anticipates 8 to 10 percent growth annually for the next three years.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered American Stair Corporation, Inc. up to $1,725,000 in conditional tax credits 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. The Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority supports the project through its no-interest securitized forgivable loan program. The city of Hammond approved additional incentives.
“Without the support of the RDA and the IEDC, this very important economic development opportunity may have never come to fruition," said Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott, Jr. “We want to thank them for their hard work and their support of Hammond.”
Illinois companies continue to make the move to Indiana, where they find the affordable business climate they are seeking for growth. American Stair’s news follows announcements last year from Superior Truss & Panel, a manufacturer and installer of commercial building roof trusses and wall panels, and Illini Hi-Reach, a rental provider of aerial work platforms and material handling equipment. These Illinois-based companies plan to move their Illinois operations to Indiana, together creating up to 65 new Hoosier jobs in the coming years.
About American Stair
American Stair Corporation has been providing Stair Systems throughout the United States for 57 years. The design and fabrication of steel stairs and railings has been our only focus, which allows us to be the best at what we do. Precision manufacturing and contemporary design has made us the number one stair manufacturer in the nation. For more information, visit www.americanstair.com.
About IEDC
Created in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Mike Pence. Victor Smith serves as the Indiana Secretary of Commerce and Eric Doden is the president of the IEDC.
The IEDC oversees programs enacted by the General Assembly including tax credits, workforce training grants and public infrastructure assistance. All tax credits are performance-based. Therefore, companies must first invest in Indiana through job creation or capital investment before incentives are paid. A company who does not meet its full projections only receives a percentage of the incentives proportional to its actual investment. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.
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