GAS CITY, IN —

Children's furniture distributor Munire Furniture has opened a manufacturing plant in Gas City, IN, to produce its high-end Echelon Furniture line. Munire has invested $5 million to purchase and equip the 200,000-square-foot plant, formerly owned by Amcast.

A division of Munire Furniture, Echelon Furniture, will produce solid wood baby furniture. The company will employ 100 people by year's end, with plans to expand to 350 employees by 2013.

Echelon Furniture received economic incentives for its startup in Indiana. According to the Indiana Economic Development Corp., Echelon was offered up to $1.35 million in performance-based tax credits and up to $20,000 in training grants based on job creation. Gas City will provide up to $2.5 million in economic revenue bonds.

In an earlier statement, Munire Furniture President Munir Hussain said, "Munire Furniture has determined that there is a tremendous need for better furniture targeted to an existing known untapped market. Echelon Furniture in Indiana will begin its full plant operations and production starting in November to fill this void."

RT Machine Co. in Hughesville, PA,  assisted Munire with the planning, organizing and equipping of machinery for the facility, as well as helped with the site selection.

Established in 1995, Munire is one of the largest distributors of juvenile furniture in North America. Products are sold through specialty stores as well as many of the big box retailers, including Babies R Us and Burlington Coat Factory.