300 jobs coming to Huntington

HUNTINGTON, Ind. (WANE) - A Canadian barbecue gas grill maker will open its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Huntington, Indiana in a facility that used to make fireplaces with about 300 jobs being created by 2011.

The announcement was made by the Onward Manufacturing Company Wednesday afternoon  in Huntington at manufacturing plant that used to make fireplaces. 

Onward Manufacturing Company, based in Waterloo, Ontario, will invest millions into the 400,000 square foot plant where Majestic fireplaces were made.

Founded in 1904 as the Rite-Away Fountain Pen Company, Onward got its start manufacturing grills in 1984 as a contract manufacturer of Arkla gas grills. Today, Onward Manufacturing Company markets its grills under the brand names of Broil King®, Broil-Mate™ and GrillPro®. In addition to grills, the company also produces grilling accessories sold at retailers across North America and in 30 countries around the world.
 
"We are very confident about the benefits provided by manufacturing in the United States," said Ted Witzel, chief executive officer of Onward Manufacturing Company. "A highly skilled workforce, efficient production practices and access to high quality materials will enable us to provide our customers with a higher quality product while maintaining competitive prices. We are proud to support the North American workforce and look forward to working with the Huntington community."
 
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Onward Manufacturing up to $1.6 million in performance-based tax credits and up to $150,000 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans. The city of Huntington will provide additional property tax abatement at the request of Huntington County United Economic Development.

"This is one of Huntington's most exciting economic development announcements in recent memory. Our community is elated to welcome the Onward Manufacturing Company to town," said Mayor Steve Updike. "The Witzel Family has gone out of its way to do business locally as they have worked to ramp up the project. They have been hiring local residents, eating at local restaurants and have already made donations to local charities. We are honored to welcome another world-class industry to Huntington."