Nappanee firms receive grants
5-20-03
By Stacey Creasy
Pilot News
NAPPANEE � Lt. Gov. Joe Kernan announced Monday four north central Indiana companies will be on the receiving end of grants to retrain existing and new employees.
The revenue comes from the Indiana Department of Commerce�s Skills Enhancement Fund. The latest round of grants will train about 970 workers at four firms in Nappanee, South Bend and Walkerton.
The state is losing manufacturing jobs. The Skills Enhancement Fund is designed to keep employees trained in the latest technology, enabling Indiana to keep pace and retain more jobs.
�As our economy continues to become more reliant on technology and the business climate becomes more competitive, companies need to invest in their employees, and we�re happy to help them do that,� said Kernan, who heads the Indiana Department of Commerce. �These companies understand the importance of worker training and that puts them at a distinct advantage.�
Gulf Stream Coach, Inc. and Sea Hawk Recreational Vehicles, Inc., both of Nappanee, will receive $239,000 to retrain 836 workers between the two companies.
Gulf Stream Coach will collect a $200,000 grant to retrain 692 existing employees as part of a $1.81 million investment in building improvements.
The company was founded in 1983. The plant manufactures motorized and towable recreational vehicles in the middle to upper price range. Gulf Stream Coach also provides after market services and support for their products.
Officials with the company said the grant will be used to train employees in plumbing, electrical, roofing and framing as well as time quality management and one-the-job training techniques.
Sea Hawk Recreational Vehicles, Inc. is a sister company to Gulf Stream Coach, Inc. The firm will receive a $39,000 grant to retrain 144 incumbent employees as part of a $175,000 investment in building and personnel improvements.
Also founded in 1983, Sea Hawk Recreational Vehicles, Inc. produces towable recreational vehicles. The training will be in the areas of team building, problem solving, quality metrics, time quality management and one-the-job training techniques.
The IDOC will give Boramco, Inc. of Walkerton an $8,750 grant to train four new and 47 incumbent employees as part of a $200,000 investment in building and equipment upgrades.
Boramco was founded in 1980. The company produces plastics for the automotive and hospital industries. The company officers purchased Boramco�s assets in 1993 and sold the business to Newcor in 1996. The company will use the grant to provide training in machine design, electronics, problem solving, team building, cross training and quality management systems.
Pepsi-Cola General Bottlers of Indiana, Inc. in South Bend will collect a $25,500 grant to train 83 existing associates as part of a $1.22 million investment in building and equipment upgrades.
The employees will be trained in the areas of warehouse operations, coaching skills, problem solving, computer skills, and loader training.
Pepsi-Cola General Bottlers is the third largest soft-drink bottler in the world.
The Skills Enhancement Fund grants are awarded to companies undertaking capital investment projects, to defray the costs of training employees. Anyone interested in the program can call 800-463-8081 of visit the IDOC website at, www.indianacommerce.com.
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