Module Assembler to Add Up to 313 Jobs, Invest $14.7 Million
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Android Industries and its partner, Avancez, today announced plans to invest $14.7 million to expand its operations in Allen County. The expansion will create up to 313 new jobs by the end of 2018.
Android Industries currently occupies a portion of the building at 13004 Fogwell Parkway. This year, the company will grow its scope of work to include an additional 55,000 square feet in this location, thereby using the entire 112,000-square-foot facility. In addition, Android Industries will support their alliance partner, Avancez, as they begin operations at a second facility located at 12808 Stonebridge Road.
“We have been active, contributing members in our Fort Wayne community since 2012,” said Kathryn Nichols, CEO of Android and Avancez. “We support and believe in the Midwest values and the work ethic so deeply ingrained in our team members. We value the leadership in our community; and we are honored to grow with our General Motors customer. Thanks to our team members for supporting and believing in us. Thanks to Fort Wayne’s leadership for striving to make the community a great place to work and live. And many thanks to GM for trusting us with this opportunity. By working together towards a common goal, we all win.”
Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Android Industries operates in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Brazil, Turkey, and Italy, with additional near-term expansion in China. Services include just-in-time assembly, flexible tooling and equipment, global supply chain management, welding, fabricating, Aquenceâ„¢ coating, and more.
Android Industries and Avancez, which together employ more than 2,000 associates globally and more than 70 in Allen County, will begin hiring assemblers, material coordinators, maintenance technicians, engineers and other skilled personnel in September. Interested applicants may apply at http://www.android-ind.com/careers.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) offered Android Industries up to $2,000,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $200,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. These incentives are performance-based, meaning that until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. Northeast Indiana Works will provide the company with additional hiring and training assistance. Allen County Council will also consider tax phase-ins for Android Industries’ eligible real and personal (equipment) property investments.
“Indiana is a global leader in automotive manufacturing, with Hoosier-built cars traveling on roads around the world,” said Jim Schellinger, Indiana Secretary of Commerce. “As General Motors keeps growing in Indiana, suppliers like Android Industries and Avancez are also choosing to hire more Hoosiers. We’re dedicated to continuing to build the nation’s best environment for manufacturing by taking Indiana to the next level, making sure Hoosier job creators have the resources and the workforce they need to grow and thrive.”
The land on Stonebridge Road was acquired in 2010 by the Allen County Redevelopment Commission, outfitted with infrastructure, then sold as a shovel-ready parcel. NorthPoint Development LLC purchased the land from the County in 2014 and built the current structure. Android / Avancez will join two other companies that currently occupy portions of the building.
“Congratulations to Android Industries,” said Richard Beck, president of the Allen County Redevelopment Commission. “This is exactly the outcome the Allen County Redevelopment Commission hoped for when it started the Land Banking initiative in 2008. Government should not attempt to create jobs; however, it should foster the environment that attracts jobs.”
As Fort Wayne and Allen County’s primary point of contact for economic development services, Greater Fort Wayne Inc. worked with state and local partners to assist Android with their expansion plans. To date in 2017, Greater Fort Wayne Inc. has assisted 24 businesses in expansions or relocations in Allen County, resulting in a total of nearly $160,000,000 in new investment and 1,362 projected new jobs.
###
About Android Industries
Android is a partner supplier for General Motors and other automobile manufacturers. The company is proud of its team-based culture, its Midwest values, and its deep roots in the automotive industry. Android has designed and built customized tooling and equipment solutions for the automotive industry since 1974. Its team offers unique and effective problem-solving solutions around the globe. And since entering the just-in-time assembly business 30-years ago, the company has shipped more than 500 million complex modules to customer assembly plants. Android looks forward to expanding and strengthening its foundation by working with its Avancez partner as an extension of General Motors’ Fort Wayne team. To learn more about Android, visit www.android-ind.com.
About Avancez
Avancez was founded in 2011 as an assembler of complex modules and a global supply chain manager. The company provides these services in Michigan and Canada, and is pleased to expand its reach into Fort Wayne, Indiana. Avancez is a nationally certified women’s business enterprise (WBENC). To learn more about Avancez, visit www.avancezassembly.com.
About Greater Fort Wayne Inc.
Greater Fort Wayne (GFW) Inc. serves Fort Wayne and Allen County, Indiana, as its metro chamber alliance and primary point of contact for economic growth. GFW Inc. focuses on prosperity and community vibrancy through economic development, advocacy, programs and resources that support business success, leadership development, graduate retention and community engagement. To learn more, visit www.greaterfortwayneinc.com.
