Flow International to expand its Jeffersonville operations
JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. - (April 23, 2009) – Flow International Corp. (NASDAQ: FLOW), a manufacturer of waterjet cutting and surface preparation equipment, announced today that it will expand its Southern Indiana operations by adding several new jobs by the end of 2009. Flow International has been a part of Southern Indiana’s business community since 1995.
The company produces ultrahigh-pressure waterjet cleaning and abrasive waterjet cutting technology for customers in the industrial manufacturing and commercial markets. Flow International will invest more than $2.4 million to make improvements and equip its 56,000 square feet of manufacturing space at 1635 Production Road. The company’s clientele include a number of international corporations such as Airbus, Boeing, General Electric, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
This follows Flow International’s announcement last year of a multi-million contract award from Airbus and continues its growth trend in Jeffersonville. Under the contract, the company will manufacture and install multiple Composite Machining Center (CMC) abrasive waterjet and routing machine tool systems.
“It is exciting to witness a cutting-edge company like Flow International choose Southern Indiana in expanding its facilities long-term,” said Michael Dalby, president and CEO of One Southern Indiana. “We are proud to support Flow as it builds a tremendous presence in the Aerospace industry.”
“We appreciate companies like Flow International that are choosing Indiana as the right place to grow operations and make business more efficient,” said E. Mitchell Roob Jr., Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
Flow International, which currently employs 97 associates in Jeffersonville, plans to begin hiring additional engineers, project managers, and machine technicians immediately as it phases in operations from its Canada operations.
“We are thrilled to expand Flow International’s facilities and talent pool here in Southern Indiana,” said Anthony Neeley, operations manager at Flow International. “The area provides an excellent business environment and access to exceptional employees – and we look forward to leveraging our model factory to support the company’s growth in the Aerospace industry.”
Headquartered in Kent, Washington, Flow International technology is used in industries ranging from food, glass, and metal cutting to high pressure industrial cleaning applications such as large ships and heavy machinery.
Founded in the early 1970′s, the company was started by former Boeing aviation research scientists. Since that time, Flow International has supplied more than 10,000 waterjet cutting systems to more than 45 different countries, employing more than 700 associates worldwide.
Through the assistance of One Southern Indiana, the City of Jeffersonville will provide Flow International with the benefit of phasing-in its property taxes while simultaneously increasing the city’s tax base.
“Jeffersonville is happy to support Flow International’s decision to grow its Jeffersonville operations. As an added benefit, Flow affords us a presence with their clientele – corporations of such high caliber as Boeing, Airbus, and Mitsubishi,” said Jeffersonville Mayor Tom Galligan.
Since its creation in July 2006, One Southern Indiana’s economic development efforts have resulted in the creation of more than 4,703 net new jobs in Clark and Floyd Counties. Flow International represents the organization’s 42nd successful project location or expansion. Combined, these 42 locations will contribute more than $205 million in new initial capital and $164 million in new annual payroll to Southern Indiana.
About Flow International Corp.
Flow International Corporation (NASDAQ: FLOW) is the world leader in the development and manufacture of ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) waterjet technology, and a leading provider of robotics and assembly equipment. Flow provides technologically advanced, environmentally-sound solutions to the manufacturing and industrial cleaning markets. For more information visit www.flowcorp.com.
About One Southern Indiana:
One Southern Indiana is a business advancement organization dedicated to supporting entrepreneurship, existing business growth, and attracting new enterprises to the Greater Louisville/Southern Indiana region. Representing more than 1,200 businesses, One Southern Indiana provides its clients with business intelligence, advocacy, and connections solutions in support of regional business innovation. For more information, please visit www.1si.org.
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Media Contacts:
Ginger Wilding Cloud (for One Southern Indiana) – 502.742.9187 or
ginger@distinctive-marketing.com
Anthony Neeley (Flow International) – 812.283.7888 or aneeley@flowcorp.com
Blair West (IEDC) – 317.232.8873 or BWest@iedc.in.gov
