Published: January 07, 2009 12:19 am         

ThyssenKrupp Presta building $2.75 million addition to plant

TERRE HAUTE — ThyssenKrupp Presta Terre Haute LLC, a manufacturer of automotive steering columns, is building a 72,000-square-foot, $2.75 million addition to its facility in the Vigo County Industrial Park, according to a Vigo County building permit.

The company assembles steering columns for Ford Motor Co. and hopes to attract new customers and prospects with the addition, said Yashar Kazemi, operations manager.

“The expansion is good news for us in this kind of economy. I know it seems odd or unusual to do such an expansion now, but with our prospects and customer situation, we are right now working on a lot of things,” Kazemi said.

The company, a subsidiary of German conglomerate ThyssenKrupp, hopes to be able to announce more concrete plans on its business, any new customers and job prospects by the end of February, Kazemi said.

In 2005, the company announced it would invest $5.5 million for a second assembly line for steering columns, test equipment and other improvements at its plant.

The new addition is the first expansion of the 68,000-square-foot plant since the company moved into the former Wheel Tough Co. building at 1597 Industrial Drive in 2003, Kazemi said. The company employs about 50 workers.

“When they came to the community, the company wanted to grow their business and any growth in the facility and any new employment would be based upon their ability to attract new business, so we certainly hope they are successful in doing that because they have been a great addition to the community and Industrial Park in particular,” said Steve Witt, president of the Terre Haute Economic Development Corp.

Howard Greninger can be reached at (812) 231-4204 or howard.greninger@tribstar.com.