TINLEY PARK, Ill. — Automotive parts manufacturer UGN Inc. is expanding after record years in 2009 and 2010. UGN is beginning site selection for a facility expansion in or near one of its existing plants in Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee.
UGN manufactures products for automobile manufacturers in North America and is one of the few automotive industry companies posting revenue gains in the recession. The expansion comes on top of increased production and employment at the company’s four existing plants.
UGN employs 1,200 team members and has prospered during the economic downturn. The company forecasts a 35 percent growth in year-end revenue for 2010 over 2009. In the last 12 months, UGN has increased its workforce by 30 percent.
The new facility would be located at or near one of three existing UGN locations: Valparaiso, Ind., Somerset, Ky., or Jackson, Tenn. The facility expansion portion of the $14.5 million capital investment would create an additional 30 permanent jobs for the target community. Site evaluation and cost-benefit analyses for all three locations are underway.
"We’re pleased our business is thriving in the recession, and we’ve had a great experience in each of the three communities we are in," says Peter Anthony, CEO of UGN. "We originally selected these communities because the local governments were accommodating to our growth and creative with performance-based tax incentives. We’re carefully evaluating which one of the three offers the best benefits for our new facility."
The company says it has significant contracts from major Japanese automakers. UGN manufactures interior carpeting for cars and SUVs, headliners and product used to provide superior acoustics within the vehicle. Previous expansions within the last year prompted the company to add 10,000 square feet of manufacturing space and increase its workforce, fueling its positive growth.
