Elkhart Supplier Expanding, Plans to Add Jobs

Another step was taken Tuesday (Feb. 5) in the continuing rebound of the economy in Indiana’s Elkhart County. The South Bend Tribune reported that Genesis Products Inc. announced that it plans to expand its operations, creating up to 100 new jobs by 2016.

Founded in 2002 by President Jon Helmuth and CEO Jon Wenger, Genesis is a wood products manufacturer that makes doors, cabinets, moldings, wood panels and drawer sides.

The Elkhart-headquartered company will invest $4 million to renovate and equip the 114,500-square-foot facility that it is currently leasing. It will likely take over the building in the next month or two, according to Helmuth.

As part of the project, Genesis will install new manufacturing and production lines, which are expected to be operational this year.

“The RV industry has picked up over the last eight months,” said Dorinda Heiden-Guss, president of the Economic Development Corp. of Elkhart County. “And for companies to supply that marketplace, they’re having to ramp up inventory and product. So it’s demand-driven.”

She indicated additional expansion announcements by other companies could be forthcoming. “We’ve had several projects in the pipeline,” she said.

The RV industry has seen three consecutive years of growth.

The region also received a boost by the announcement Tuesday that neighboring LaGrange County will become the new home of Lake Area Designs, which will bring 34 jobs by 2016. Lake Area Designs is a wood furniture and custom molding manufacturer for the recreational vehicle and commercial industries. It is currently located in Sturgis.

Genesis, which currently has more than 180 full-time employees in Indiana, 140 of them in Elkhart, has already begun hiring additional supervisory, production and maintenance associates.

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Genesis Products Inc. Expanding into Virginia

It’s just the kind of news people in Charlotte County, Va., hoped to hear: 150 new jobs are  coming to Keysville, a city of 1,000 located 50 miles west of Richmond.

RV supplier Genesis Products Inc. will invest $2.5 million to expand the former Appomattox River Manufacturing operation in Charlotte County, according to a press release from Gov. Bob McDonnell’s office.

The project will save 52 jobs and create 150 new jobs. The Elkhart, Ind.-based company manufactures doors, cabinet parts, moldings and wood panels for pre-fabricated homes and recreational vehicles. It also makes products for the kitchen cabinet and furniture manufacturing industry.

Virginia successfully competed against Georgia and Mississippi for the project.