Expansion Management

Hoist Liftruck's Strong Demand Leads to Large Job Creation in Indiana

Aug. 26, 2015

The company will expand its manufacturing operations into Indiana, creating up to 500 new jobs by 2022.

Hoist Liftruck Mfg., Inc., a manufacturer of high-capacity material handling equipment, announced earlier this month that it plans to expand its manufacturing operations into Indiana, creating up to 500 new jobs by 2022.

The company will renovate a building that was originally designed for Blaw-Knox to manufacture tanks for the U.S. Army. The facility has remained largely vacant for the last 10 years.

“Our East Chicago expansion represents a significant investment in order for us to meet our growing demand,” said Marty Flaska, CEO of Hoist Liftruck. The new site will allow the company to expand its production of heavy-duty forklifts to accommodate a significant increase of new unit orders.

In 1980, Flaska founded Forklift Exchange from his house in the western suburbs of Chicago, specializing in buying, selling and renting material handling equipment. In 1994, he acquired the rights to build cushion-tire forklifts from Brooklyn-based Silent Hoist and Crane, transforming his operations into Hoist Liftruck Mfg., Inc. Production is solely in the U.S.

The company received a number of incentives from a variety of organizations. The Indiana Economic Development Corp. provided tax credits of up to $8.25 million as well as $200,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. The city of East Chicago has approved additional incentives as did the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority and NIPSCO, a utility company.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.