Elkhart, Ind. -- E.K. Blessing, a musical instrument maker, announced will expand its manufacturing facility here, creating up to 22 new jobs by 2012.
The brass instrument maker, which was acquired by the Verne Q. Powell Flutes company in October, will invest more than $2.6 million to relocate its brass instrument production from Germany and Taiwan to Elkhart. E.K. Blessing plans to complete its move to a larger facility, which previously housed Damon Motor Coach, in May.
E.K. Blessing began musical instrument production in Elkhart in 1906 and currently makes trumpets, cornets, flugelhorns, trombones and certain marching brass instruments. The company plans to eventually expand its marching and background brass line to include manufacturing euphoniums, baritones, tubas and French horns. Hiring of additional manufacturing associates will coincide with the new production introduction and implementation plans.
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"We are committed to Made in USA and Blessing is now the only musical instrument maker that is producing all its instruments in Elkhart," said Steven Wasser, president of Verne Q. Powell Flutes. "Our management team is comprised of highly successful industry veterans, and our first executive decision was to discontinue all Blessing products which were being imported from Asia. We value the many skilled musical instrument makers in Elkhart and the wonderful support which has been demonstrated by local officials. Elkhart is a community and we want to be a contributing part of this community."
Boston-based Verne Q. Powell Flutes was established in 1927 and specializes in handmade, custom professional flutes, primarily made from silver and gold.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered E.K. Blessing up to $40,000 in performance-based tax credits and up to $6,000 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans. The Elkhart City Council has preliminarily approved a property tax phase-in and the Elkhart County Commissioners will provide Recovery Zone Facility bonds at the request of the Economic Development Corporation of Elkhart County.
E.K. Blessing, founded in 1906, has a long history of making high quality brass instruments in Elkhart, Indiana. One of two remaining musical instrument makers in what was formerly the musical instrument manufacturing capital of the world - Blessing is now the only one to make 100% of its instruments within the city. With a passionate commitment to "Made in USA" instruments of the highest quality, Blessing is poised to make a major impact on the brass world.
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