Economic Development Trip to Italy to Bring New Business to Delaware County

ECI Regional Planning District’s Executive Director Bill Walters and other community leaders, such as Delaware County Commissioner Shannon Henry and Economic Development Director Brad Bookout, took a 10-day trip to Italy in October 2022 to introduce Delaware County to over 40 different company representatives that could potentially move their organization’s North American headquarters to the region. 

Companies like INOX, Filtrec, and Muncie Power Products have relayed their experiences which has opened the door for Delaware County to establish trust for new companies to come here. 

INOX Market Service, an Italian-based stainless steel manufacturer, named Delaware County as the location of its North American Headquarters. INOX, established in 1989, has locations in Europe, Mexico, and India and is now a leading manufacturer and distributor of stainless steel globally. They created 100 local jobs, and their credibility will draw other companies into the region for economic growth.

FILTREC, an Italian company that manufactures industrial filters, purchased the former Taurus Tools property south of Muncie and set up its North American headquarters in Delaware County. With the help of the East Central Indiana Regional Planning District, the Delaware County commissioners, and the Delaware County Economic & Municipal Affairs, the company was able to establish connections to grow its already expanding business. The company plans to invest more than $1 million in the new headquarters and create more local jobs. 

Muncie Power Products’ parent company, Interpump Group, is a world-leading manufacturer of power take-offs and high-pressure piston pumps. They are made up of over 24 companies worldwide, including Muncie Power Products, and service areas such as North America, the Pacific area, Italy, the rest of Europe, and other international consumers. 

Due to these successes of the past and the recent Italy trip, one company has expressed interest in acquiring 15 acres and a 115,000-square-foot facility in the county, while another business will be here in early December to look at available buildings, tour the county, and get resources to set up North American business. 

Many of these companies did not consider planting headquarters in North America, however, given the success of other companies and other factors such as the size of the US economy, the convenient location of Indiana, and the lower costs compared to coastal regions, they were intrigued to know more about Delaware County. 

“It was a successful trip with four additional companies in the queue to get a tour of Delaware County in the coming months,” said Walters. 

According to Walters, there will be much more to come in the next 6 to 12 months with these organizations.