GOSHEN, Ind. – MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc. (MBCI), a manufacturer of home cabinetry products, announced plans today to expand its operations here, creating up to 76 new jobs by the end of 2013.

“It’s a great joy to see a home-grown Hoosier company like MBCI succeed in our state,” said Governor Mike Pence. “Its decision to continue to grow here reminds us that our great workforce, fiscal stability and robust infrastructure make Indiana a state that works for business.”

The Jasper, Ind.-headquartered company plans to invest $574,000 in equipment that will add additional capacity and expand the product offering produced at its 484,500 square-foot facility located at 1002 Eisenhower Drive N. in Goshen. The expansion, which is expected to be completed by the end of March, will include the installation of a new miter cell, shaping and finishing equipment, an oven and additional tools to facilitate assembly.

“We are pleased to announce this investment in our products and capacities at the Goshen facility,” said Mark Stoppert, senior vice president of manufacturing, semi-custom cabinetry at MBCI. “The Goshen plant is a key facility in our manufacturing footprint in North America and the workforce has a proud history of making high quality cabinetry here.”

MBCI, which currently employs more than 780 Hoosiers in Goshen and 2,800 at its six Indiana facilities, has already begun hiring additional manufacturing, production and support associates.

Founded in 1954 in Celestine, Ind., MBCI is a subsidiary of Fortune Brands Home and Security and manufactures standard to custom made cabinet brands such as Kitchen Craft, Omega, Homecrest and Diamond. The company, which operates 14 locations throughout North America and employs more than 9,000 people, actively supports the local community through partnerships with Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross and Junior Achievement.

“The city of Goshen is excited about MBCI expanding its operations here,” said Goshen Mayor Allan Kauffman. “MBCI worked closely with the city of Goshen and the Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County on this highly competitive project. We appreciate the company’s confidence in the vitality and vibrancy of our city and county.”

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc. up to $350,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $80,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The city of Goshen supports this project at the request of the Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County.

MBCI’s announced expansion comes on the heels of Chrysler Group’s announcement yesterday that it plans to invest $374 million in north central Indiana and create up to 1,250 new jobs by 2015. The carmaker will add new transmission lines in Kokomo and will also acquire the former Getrag facility in Tipton to establish an additional transmission assembly site.

Source: Indiana Economic Development Corporation