1. BR&E Video Debut Last year, we launched our first series of videos highlighting LEDO leadership in the BR&E program. This year, we're tackling the company visit: what it looks like, how to get the most out of a visit, what to expect onsite, and even the workplace tour. What better way to celebrate the 10th year of the BR&E program, and our teammates statewide?
Check out the video here, and feel free to use it when explaining the value of visits to local businesses! The video will be housed on the BR&E resource page of the IEDC website beginning next week.
2.Blackford County - Petoskey Plastics
As a major employer in the county, Petoskey Plastics considers itself "just a larger neighbor" in the community. The company has embraced Blackford County and taken a particular interest in education and workforce development, opening its plant to hold Ivy Tech classes onsite and tours to high school students.
Years in BR&E: 8
Secret to success: Attention to detail. Each plastic bag is quality tested to open on less than three attempts. No product ships until the smallest detail is addressed.
Local leadership: Petoskey Plastics actively participates in manufacturing forums and focuses on employee training, retaining highly skilled and dedicated team members.
3. Allen County - QuikCut
Since 2019 alone, QuikCut has collaborated with Greater Fort Wayne, Inc. and local partners on four expansion projects. With an eye on growth, QuikCut has actively supported GFW's MadeByMe Coalition to inspire the next generation to pursue careers in manufacturing and skilled trades. The company consistently steps up in the community, with employees, and with local stakeholders.
Years in BR&E: 10+
Secret to success: Seeing the big picture. President & COO Carey Sipe quickly recognized the value of partnering with Northeast Indiana Works, Purdue Fort Wayne, and Ivy Tech. This collaboration has been a cornerstone of QuikCut's growth and success.
Changing the conversation: QuikCut has mastered the art of showcasing manufacturing and skilled trades as sophisticated, smart career options.
Something Powerful
4. Wabash County - InterTech Products
Intertech Products is a community-oriented, forward-thinking business with a longtime relationship with Grow Wabash County. In 2019, the company was honored as Grow Wabash County's Business of the Year at its Annual Dinner Celebration. The event included a special visit from Mr. Kazuo Irikura, an executive from the InterTech parent company in Japan, who led a traditional Japanese celebratory ritual and Daruma ceremony to mark its continued success. This celebration illustrated the years of relationship building that have benefited both company and community.
Years in BR&E: InterTech (formerly Oji InterTech) has worked with local economic developers since it opened in Wabash County.
Secret to success: Building trust.
"We at Intertech Products were very excited to transition from foreign ownership to being locally owned, and our collaboration with the community, the county, and Grow Wabash County was instrumental to this accomplishment." Wayne Robison, Owner.
"Our continuing involvement with the community and the great teams at Grow Wabash County and the IEDC have allowed us to successfully transition from foreign to local ownership and expand our operations with a significant capital investment scheduled to come online in early 2025."Rick Sereno, President.
5. LaGrange County - Exo-S
Exo-S located in LaGrange County in 2013, with the LaGrange County Economic Development Corp. helping facilitate EDGE credits. The innovative molded plastics company has a commitment to developing employee talent and enriching their community. With 140 employees at this location, Exo-S is an employer of choice for cutting-edge manufacturing careers.
Years in BR&E: 10+
Secret to success: Employees feel valued and empowered, leading to higher retention and growth. This is a difference you experience when walking the plant floor.
"Exo-s looks forward to expanding our relationship with LCEDC to promote our shared goal of creating high-value employment opportunities and fostering a thriving community where residents, businesses, and visitors can prosper." Mitch Herber, Plant Manager.
6. Adams County - Poseidon Barge
Adams County Economic Development Corporation has been working with Poseidon Barge since the company became part of the community in 2017. The business is well-known in the area; as a barge company owned by two sisters operating in a landlocked county, its success is unique in the region! With a reputation for investing in employees, Poseidon Barge is a solid corporate citizen in Adams County.
Years in BR&E: 7
Secret to success: Engagement. Poseidon Barge connected with Purdue Fort Wayne during a B&RE visit and experienced a critical "aha" moment that solved a pressing issue.
Corporate footprint: Great company leadership and participation in local events such as Manufacturing Day make this mid-size employer stand out.
7. Huntington County - Incipio Devices
Incipio Devices is an orthopedic device company with offices in Huntington, Indiana and St-Blaise, Switzerland. It is a local success story, founded by industry experts wanting to provide solution-driven approaches to commercial products, contract manufacturing, and development. The company now employs nearly 150 people after beginning as a local start-up in 2014. Huntington County Economic Development Corporation worked with the company throughout its phases of growth, supporting the once fledgling company as it became one of the biggest employers in the area.
Years in BR&E: 10
Secret to success: Incipio Devices holds a number of U.S. patents and is known for excellent corporate culture. Per Huntington County officials, the employee retention rate is a model for all local industries. You simply do not see resumes for “former” Incipio employees.
“I could have located my business anywhere in the world, and we have many international customers using our products and services. My hometown of Huntington has been very good to me and our company, but the reality is, you can’t locate a world-class medical device company for sentimental reasons. I chose Huntington because the local workforce, real estate market and economic development support have been world class.” Troy Johnson, President.
8. Whitley County - DOT America
The Whitley County Economic Development Corporation started working with DOT America after an incentive request for purchase of new production equipment and staff. The parent company of DOT America is German, which adds to the county's international FDI footprint.
Years in BR&E: 10
Niche Player: DOT America is one of two companies in the U.S. that performs vacuum plasma spraying of coatings on implant devices in a vacuum chamber. BR&E visits revealed how dependent orthopedic OEMs are on DOT.
"It has been a pleasure to work with the local and state economic development team. We couldn't be happier with our growth these past ten years in Northeast Indiana." Michael Venturini - President/CEO.
9. Recognizing Anne Keller: Excellence in Economic Development
Congratulations to Anne Keller of One Southern Indiana who was honored for Excellence in Economic Development at the IEDA Annual Conference! Anne's dedication to her county and attention to detail does not go unnoticed; from her outstanding RFP responses, to her willingness to get the job done, Anne exemplifies the best of Hoosier economic development.
10. Dearborn County - Mike Perleberg
Mike is a driving force in Dearborn County, consistently going above and beyond in his professional and personal endeavors. As the Executive Director of One Dearborn, he dedicates his time to advancing the county's eight economic drivers: infrastructure, workforce development, housing, trail connectivity, downtown redevelopment, tourism & culture, business retention and attraction, and U.S. 50 transportation. These initiatives align with One Dearborn’s core pillars of business attraction, business retention and expansion, workforce development, and quality of place initiatives, all outlined in the county’s visionary work plan.
Mike excels as a convener, bringing together public and private stakeholders to drive projects forward. His leadership was instrumental in the success of READI 1.0, where he united the Southeast Indiana (SEI) region and laid the groundwork for collaboration. Whether coordinating with county redevelopment boards, aligning the vision of the three river cities, or partnering with state organizations like IEDC and IEDA, Mike ensures the right people are at the table to achieve meaningful progress.
Thank you, Dave!
This year, Dave Behr celebrated twenty years with the IEDC. His two decades of service began at the Indiana Department of Commerce in November 2004 under Governor Joseph Kernan. Governor Kernan was a former South Bend mayor and a good friend, making the move to state government a natural choice.
After kicking off his career with a familiar leader and friend, Dave went on to serve under three more governors and ten secretaries of commerce. A true "billion dollar man," Dave has done everything from representing the IEDC in Europe, attending a ball at the Austrian embassy, to driving a Hummer vehicle through an AM General obstacle course. The only constant throughout this legendary career was his office in South Bend.
Dave's warmth, humor, and outstanding work ethic made him a pillar of the IEDC and our Hoosier economic development community. We wish him and his family many happy days as he begins a well-earned retirement!
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