Kimball Hospitality expanding; will add 20 jobs | Business

Kimball Hospitality, Inc., a brand unit of Kimball International in Jasper, announced plans today to expand its operations, creating up to 20 new jobs.

The company, which produces custom furnishings for the global hospitality industry, will invest $932,000 to install advanced manufacturing machinery at its 196,000 square-foot facility in Jasper. The expansion will increase capacity for the company's case goods furniture product line which includes program and catalog offerings for hospitality guestrooms.

"More than anything else, job growth depends on building an environment that's favorable for business," said Dan Hasler, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. "Kimball's growth is the latest sign that the Hoosier State offers an economic ecosystem that allows companies to grow and thrive."

This fall, the company's parent, Kimball International, invested $723,700 to expand its Kimball Office brand's Xsite product series in Jasper, creating an additional 30 new jobs.

"We explored numerous options, including whether to locate this operation in Jasper or in our Martinsville, Va. facility," said Stan Sapp, president of Kimball Hospitality and vice president of Kimball International. "The availability of talent, skills and work ethic that have become such a tradition in this area helped make the decision for this location." 

Kimball Hospitality, which has 117 full-time employees in Jasper, is currently hiring 15 production and five engineering/tech support workers.

Those interested may apply by contacting:
Bill Young, HR Director,
Kimball Hospitality,
1180 E. 16th Street
Jasper, IN  47549

You can also call: 812-482-8090

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Kimball Hospitality, Inc. and Kimball Furniture Group up to $225,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $19,250 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans. The city of Jasper approved additional tax abatement at the request of Dubois Strong.

Entering the lodging market in 1985, Kimball Hospitality produces custom furnishings for the global hospitality industry. Since then, the company has furnished nearly a million guest rooms for hotel chains, luxury properties and resort destinations worldwide, including more than 60,000 rooms in major Las Vegas hotels.

"The city of Jasper is very pleased with the announced expansions at Kimball International this year, both at Kimball Office and, most recently, at Kimball Hospitality," said Jasper Mayor Terry Seitz. "The Kimball Hospitality growth will have immediate impact in three areas: jobs, repurposing an existing manufacturing plant and through investment in new equipment for the operation. Additionally, we see this activity as something very positive for domestic production to serve the U.S. hospitality sector and a sign of an improving economy."    

Kimball Hospitality is the latest company to announce its decision to invest in southwest Indiana. Earlier this month, Jasper Engines announced plans to expand its Jasper headquarters, creating up to 40 new jobs. Also, Ohio Valley Resources recently announced its decision to locate a billion-dollar fertilizer plant in Rockport, adding 80 new jobs.