By K.O. Jackson
PERU — Riverside Travel Trailer Inc., a Peru manufacturer of towable recreational vehicles, announced Wednesday it is expanding its operations and plans to create 100 new jobs by 2011.
Riverside is a relatively new company. It began in June and will now invest more than $1.1 million to purchase new equipment and make upgrades to its 130,000 square-foot facility.
The facility formerly housed the Adventure Manufacturing Inc.’s recreational vehicle manufacturing operations, which has been closed.
Riverside produces a variety of towable campers and trailers for dealers throughout the United States and Canada.
In a press release, Gov. Mitch Daniels said, “we appreciate the commitment that the leaders of Riverside have shown to the Peru community. We look forward to working with them as they create jobs and contribute to Indiana’s economy.”
Riverside currently employs more than 30 former Adventure Manufacturing associates. A company spokesman said the plan is to continue hiring manufacturing-and-assembly workers as market conditions allow.
The company anticipates doubling its current employment by the second quarter of 2010 and adding all the new jobs by 2011.
“After being hit hard by the recession, the RV business is entering into a recovery phase, and it is here to stay. Indiana is the heart of the RV industry and as such it is the place to be,” said Riverside’s Mark Gerber, vice president of sales and finance.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, Miami County has a work force of almost 16,000 workers, including 1,964 who are unemployed.
Earlier this fall, 79 employees of the Peru-based Heraeus Electro-Nite Co. LLC, were notified their company will cease production at the manufacturing plant this month.
Heraeus Electro-Nite opened in 1990. It produced sensors and samplers that measure, monitor and control the molten-metal process.
Riverside is currently working to establish a dealer network. At full capacity, Riverside will be able to manufacture up to 6,000 units annually and it shipped its first product this July.
Blair N. West, spokesperson for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, said Riverside was offered up to $265,000 in performance-based tax credits and $45,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans.
Furthermore, Miami County will provide additional property tax abatement at the request of the Miami County Economic Development Authority.
“Riverside Travel Trailer will provide Miami County much needed jobs. We appreciate the investment of the local owners and their understanding of our commitment to provide them with a quality workforce,” said Greg Deeds, Miami County Commissioner.
• The Associated Press also contributed to this report.
