From The Greenfield Reporter

A Columbus auto parts company plans to close its plant, merge with a Pennsylvania company and move operations to Greenfield.

Qualtronics, at 1400 Grant Ave., which specializes in automobile wiring harnesses plans to merge with CMR of Zelienople, Pa.

The merged company, CMRQualtronics, will manufacture wiring harnesses, sensors and other engines components in a new $1.4 million, 20,000-square-foot plant in Greenfield.

Customers will include the U.S. Navy, ArvinMeritor Inc. and Cummins Inc.

Qualtronics is the second company to announce its departure from Columbus this month.

Plastic parts maker Makuta Technics Inc., which employs 16, plans to move Columbus operations to a new 20,000-square-foot building in Shelbyville’s Intelliplex Park.

Dennis Maloy, executive director of the Hancock Economic Development Council, said CMRQualtronics “is exactly the kind of company we are happy to chase in Greenfield.”

Robert Daly, vice president of CMRQualtronics, said the company chose Greenfield because the city is close to customers and because “the people in this area have a good work ethic.”

The company plans to initially employ 43. By 2008, company officials expect to have about 100 workers. CMRQualtronics will pay an average salary of about $43,000.

“This is a coup for Hancock County and Greenfield,” said Ron Pritzke, an attorney for the company. “These are high tech, manufacturing and well paid people.”

Greenfield City Council on Thursday preliminarily approved 10-year tax abatement on the company’s 3.3-acre property.

CMRQualtronics President John Gatto said the tax abatement was a deciding factor to locate in Greenfield.

“It would have made the difference if we located there or not, because we want to keep our costs down to remain competitive,” he said.
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