Flexaust Co. to Expand its Warsaw Operations; Create 20 New Jobs; Invest $1M

The Flexaust Company, a hose and ducting manufacturer, announced that it will expand its operations here, creating up to 20 new jobs and expanding training opportunities for existing employees.

The company, which manufactures flexible hose and ducting solutions for the industrial and commercial markets, will invest more than $1 million to update equipment at its 120,000 square-foot facility in the north central Indiana city.

"We appreciate Flexaust's continued investment in the Warsaw community and look forward to working with them as they grow despite a down national economy," said Mitch Roob, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

An affiliate of the Germany-based Schauenburg Group, Flexaust currently employs more than 115 at its north central Indiana operations and plans to begin hiring additional manufacturing and packaging associates and supervisory staff as equipment upgrades are finalized.

"We serve a variety of industries and have been fortunate to maintain a steady flow of business," said Steve Hagan, controller at The Flexaust Company. "This training program will allow us to increase the skills of our workers, ultimately making us more competitive."

Flexaust received a $54,000 grant from the state's Skills Enhancement Fund to train its employees in production methods, resource planning and workplace problem solving among other industry and company specific practices.

Founded in 1938 by an Arizona mining engineer who developed technology to divert fumes and bring fresh air to underground miners, Flexaust manufactures fabric and plastic-coated wire ducting for a variety of industrial dust, fume and material evacuation and ventilation applications.

"We're very excited to be able to partner with Flexaust in their expansion and job creation," said Warsaw Mayor Ernest Wiggins. "We appreciate this company's continued investment in its workforce and our community."

Indiana 's manufacturing industry received an overall "A" grade, according to BallStateUniversity's 2009 National Manufacturing and Logistics Report Card published by Conexus Indiana.