M&C Tech Indiana is the first Japanese-based company to locate in Daviess County and the first to build on Interstate 69. The company officially opened last month with a small workforce, but it has plans to get a whole lot bigger.
"Within a 10-year time frame and maybe sooner, we're going to be at 160,000 square feet," said M&C Tech Production Manager Dan Morehead. "This plant will double in size in two or three years and then we'll double it again, bring in more machines and more production."
And more employees. The firm expects to have as many as 150 workers when the expansion is completed.
That expansion is part of what brought the company to Daviess County in the beginning.
"They knew I-69 was coming through here and knew it would be a good opportunity," said Morehead. "They talked with Daviess County Economic Development. They looked at the area and fell in love with it and fell in love with the community and Washington. Everybody is more than willing to help and guide us along, so this is it. This is where we belong."
Since the company went to work on the $10 million facility, officials say they have been overwhelmed with the welcome they have received.
"I've never been more overwhelmed by kindness with all of the support the mayor and Washington and Daviess County has given us," said Morehead. "I truly am overwhelmed."
Currently, the company pays $12 to $18 per hour for its production staff depending upon the level of experience. Despite Daviess County's 3 percent unemployment rate, finding workers has not been a problem.
"I don't have any problem finding people at all," said Morehead. "What I wish I could do is bring them in a lot faster. As we grow, we'll start bringing them in. Right now we're holding applications and hopefully, by the time I am ready for them, they'll still be interested and say yes. There are a lot of great applicants out there."
M&C Tech may be from Japan, but they are committed to the community. Morehead says the firm specifically looks to do business with vendors that are from within a one-hour drive. The same goes for potential employees. The company is looking for people from the immediate area.
Indiana is home to multiple automotive plants. With Toyota, Honda, General Motors, Chrysler and Subaru located in the state and Ford, Mitsubishi and Volkswagen nearby, M&C is now located within a quick drive to many of the car companies it works with and could market to in the future.
With the automotive industry adopting the Japanese system of just-in-time delivery of parts, the Washington location is a key.
"We have access to I-69," said Morehead. "The railroad comes through here if we want to take that route. We can go pretty much anywhere. It has all been planned. What brought them here was the community because everyone was so helpful."
With a location just off I-69, M&C Tech is looking to become a leader in putting people in Daviess County to work and in growing a business in an area that is primed to become home to more business and industry.
"We are only going to grow as more machines come in and we will add employment," said Morehead. "Right now, here in Washington, you have good people who want to work. I also see more businesses developing along I-69. It's going to happen with five, 10, 15 years. All of this is going to change around here."