Custom Engineering & Fabrication to Expand Indiana Operations

Custom Engineering & Fabrication, Fort Wayne, Ind., has announced plans to expand its Fort Wayne, Ind., operations. The company will invest $161,000 in manufacturing equipment and property improvements, including the purchase of a building roughly six miles away from its existing manufacturing facility. The company says it expects the equipment to be delivered in September and the new facility to be operational by the end of October 2011.

The company provides equipment to a number of industries, including asphalt, scrap metal recycling, steel, glass, foam, exterior doors, wood, mineral wool and paper.

"This investment will allow us to focus on making sure our products remain innovative and at the forefront of manufacturing solutions," says Bob Hatfield, president of Custom Engineering & Fabrication. "Our Freeman Street facility has experienced considerable growth in the last few years, and we are working hard to ensure this trend continues by expanding in to our new location."

The project includes the purchase of the former Fort Wayne Structural Products building in Fort Wayne, which is located in the city’s Urban Enterprise Zone. The company will use 38,000 square feet for manufacturing space and plans to sublease the remaining 6,000 square feet of office space.

Todd Walter, business development manager for Custom Engineering, says the expansion will include purchasing new equipment to give the company two manufacturing centers in Fort Wayne.

"This most recent expansion by the company is a testament to Fort Wayne's business-friendly climate and to the quality of our local workforce. Custom Engineering & Fabrication’s ongoing investment shows its commitment to the successes and well-being of our community,” says Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry.

In deciding to expand its operation, Walter says that the company’s business has been consistent through all its industry sectors. For the recycling sector, he notes that more companies are looking for auto shredder in-feed and downstream systems.