By Melody Brunson, Washington Times-Herald Editor
Olon Industries, a drawer manufacturer on Washington's eastside, was approved for a five-year tax abatement on a $65,000 panel saw that will bring at least one new job to the area and positively affect 15 other current employees.
The Daviess County Council on Wednesday approved the abatement after Frank Guratzsch, plant manager, spoke on behalf his company. Guratzsch said although his company is headquartered in Canada, so far it has been easy for it to make decisions to invest in Daviess County.
The new panel saw approved for abatement will cut drawer bottoms for the manufacturer in-house. The drawer bottoms were being outsourced to a company in North Carolina.
Guratzsch said, "It will shorten the lead time for our customers. We will be able to offer better competitive pricing, retain existing business and add value to products made in Indiana."
It adds products to the Olon line of furniture components, Guratzsch said.
The saw will creates one new position, as an operator will be needed to work the saw. Currently, three lines work one shift at Olon. While three other machines have a two-shift operation. The saw will create another work station in the $4.5 million facility, owned by the Daviess County Economic Development Foundation, and leased by Olon.
Ron Arnold, executive director of the Daviess County Economic Development Foundation, concurred with the plant manager's assessment of the positives for the county.
"Olon is a model business for us. Their investment of adding equipment sends a positive message," Arnold said.
Olon will pay full taxes on the panel saw after the five-year period.
Olon started in Washington in 1994 with five employees in 1,500 square feet. Today, it has a few more than 50 employees working in 102,000 square feet.