Root Brothers Manufacturing & Supply Company, an industrial tool supply company, announced plans today to locate its distribution hub here, creating up to 49 new jobs by 2017.
The Chicago-based company will invest $1.5 million to renovate and equip a 100,000-square-foot facility in Hammond, including 86,000 square feet for its shipping operations and 14,000 square feet of offices. The facility, which began operations in April, will allow the company to expand its distribution and supply chain capacity.
“Indiana offers the strongest possible environment for business growth,” said Victor Smith, Indiana Secretary of Commerce. “This is the state where companies like Root Brothers find an affordable climate, supported by low tax rates, a low cost of doing business and an incredible workforce. Operating in the Hoosier State means maximizing your greater return on investment, which helps companies grow and makes Indiana a state that works.”
Root Brothers, which currently employs approximately 60 full-time associates nationally, has already begun hiring for managerial and clerical positions.
“We at Root Brothers are thankful for the opportunity that both the state of Indiana and the city of Hammond provided us when we first started our search to expand our operations,” said Aaron Root, vice president of sales and marketing for Root Brothers. “The opportunities and assistance provided were instrumental in choosing Hammond, Indiana for this expansion.”
Founded in 1923, Root Brothers is a maintenance, repair and operations industrial distribution company, supplying utility and construction tools to municipal, telecommunications, railroad, automotive and manufacturing clients across the country. A family-owned and certified service-disable, veteran-owned business, the company also operates additional facilities in Chicago, Dallas and Las Vegas.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Root Brothers Manufacturing & Supply Company up to $367,500 in conditional tax credits 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. The city of Hammond approved additional incentives.
“We have been working with a number of Illinois companies looking to move or expand to Hammond and we are glad to see our hard working paying off,” said Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr.