Executives from Keco Coatings announced today they have acquired a second facility for the company's high performance coating operation at 1102 W. 16th Street, Indianapolis, IN.
Keco plans to invest $1 million in the facility and hire 50 employees by 2013. The new jobs will include engineering, management, customer service and manufacturing positions. The 40,000 square foot facility on the city's west side is adjacent to the downtown Certified Technology Park.
Keco currently employs 25 people at its downtown Indianapolis facility located at 1030 S. Kealing Ave., and 20 people at its Statesville, N. C. location.
"Keco's success in Indianapolis is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit and pro-growth business climate that exists within our city," said Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard. "Their expansion on the near west side further confirms the attractiveness of the West 16th Street Corridor for companies in the manufacturing, technology and life sciences industries. We look forward to a long and successful relationship with Keco as their business continues to expand worldwide."
Mike Klinge, president of Keco Coatings, acknowledged the expansion allows the company to capitalize on the opportunities available in the domestic and international markets it serves, as well as enhance its high-volume coating capabilities. Keco will offer its signature Kephos process at the new facility, which was developed for performance racing applications as a replacement for black oxide and anodizing. Kephos attributes include superior abrasion resistance and corrosion resistance, achieving up to 192 hours salt spray resistance per ASTM B-117 when applied at a one-half micron coating thickness.
Klinge stated, "During our search for a second location, we explored facilities in North Carolina, as well as Indianapolis, but expanding in Indianapolis outweighed other cities for many reasons. We like the excitement and energy connected to the Certified Technology Park and the positive feedback we have received from the west side neighboring companies. The potential to grow our company near the most prominent racing address in the world — West 16th Street, is certainly very attractive."