PendaForm expanding Bluffton, IN thermoforming plant

PendaForm was formed in the July 2013 merger of Penda Corp., located in Portage, WI, and the Fabri-Form Co. located in New Concord, OH. The company renamed in October of last year. New Concord is the headquarters facility for PendaForm. According to Jack Slinger, president and CEO of PendaForm, Wells County was chosen because of the positive business climate, the ability to expand the building and the hard-working labor force.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered PendaForm up to $160,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $35,000 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives, said the Wells County Economic Development office. The City of Bluffton rounded out the incentives through tax abatements, utility upgrades and street improvements.

PendaForm is a leading Tier 1 automotive supplier and the largest industrial heavy-gauge thermoformer in the United States, according to company information. The company's Concord, OH, facility is also a thermoforming facility specializing in material handling, packaging, and engineered components for the automotive, grocery and heavy-duty truck industry.