Beth Rumsey
Staff Writer

Ohio Rod Products, a manufacturer of headed and threaded fasteners, has announced that it will expand its operations creating up to 33 new jobs by 2013 investing $3.1 million to phase in new machinery.

“Our traditional markets have matured, and we need to expand our manufacturing capabilities in order to realize the growth potential that exists in other fastener related markets,” said Jeff Liter, president of Ohio Rod Products.

“Ohio Rod Products is finding a way to grow in the midst of tough economic times and they’re doing it here in Indiana,” said Mitch Roob, Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. “We appreciate the new jobs and investment they are committing to Ripley County.”

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered ORP up to $160,000 in performance-based tax credits and up to $50,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. The town of Versailles will consider additional property tax abatements. ORP also received a $500,000 grant from the City of Lawrenceburg’s Regional Economic Development Grant program.

“We are thrilled to have Ohio Rod Products in Versailles and to see the company succeed and grow during these tough economic times. The company is a hard working group moving forward,” said Dee Dee Benkie of the Versailles Town Council. “The town is thankful for Ohio Rod and also Governor Mitch Daniels and IEDC director Mitch Roob for making Indiana a business friendly state.”

Gary Norman, Ripley County Economic Development Director, stated, “We would like to thank the City of Lawrenceburg for making this expansion possible. Ohio Rod Products is a progressive company that is moving forward.”

ORP was founded in 1947 in Cleveland, Ohio, and moved to Versailles in 1966. The company currently employs 70 associates and plans to begin hiring additional manufacturing and supervisory personnel this fall. The company is a part of the Elgin Fastener Group and has sister facilities in Cleveland, Ohio; Martin, Tennessee and Osgood.