Marine canvas supplier locating in Whitley County
Marine canvas supplier locating in Whitley County
COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. (February 8, 2011) – Sailrite Enterprises, Inc. (“Sailrite”) announced today that the company is moving its operations to a facility at 2390 E County Road 100 South in Gateway Industrial Park.
“Sailrite is focused on continuing our impressive double-digit sales growth,” said President Hallie Grant, “This facility provides an excellent location to encourage our continued expansion into high-growth opportunities such as online sales.”
Sailrite is known as a canvas worker’s hardware store, selling fabric, hardware, and apparel product lines. The second generation family business was the first company to provide instructions and materials for amateur sailmaking. Under the guidance of owners Matt and Hallie Grant, the company has expanded its product lines with Sailrite branded and patented semi-industrial sewing machines for canvas workers.
Sailrite is acquiring the former Kilgore Manufacturing Company, Inc facility at the intersection of US 30 and County Road 100 South. The company will relocate its operations from a facility in Merriam (Indiana) and anticipates retaining its twenty-three employees and adding twelve additional employees. Sailrite operated in Whitley County until the early-2000’s, when the business outgrew its downtown Columbia City building.
“We are very pleased to be returning to Whitley County at this point in our company’s history,” said Vice President Matt Grant, “We are well positioned to grow our company in the years ahead thanks to our experience in product development and our global customer reach.”
The Whitley County Council will today consider a proposed CEDIT based incentive to support the company’s relocation and expansion at the request of the Whitley County EDC. Kilgore Manufacturing Company has relocated to its facility at 445 S Line Street in Columbia City.
“On behalf of the County Council, I am pleased to welcome Sailrite back to Whitley County,” said Whitley County Council Chairman Kim Wheeler, “Our community continues to provide an attractive location for companies like Sailrite to access a skilled manufacturing workforce and to reach a global customer base within a competitive business climate.”
About Sailrite Enterprises, Inc.
From its start in 1969, Sailrite has focused on serving as a source of materials and instruction for amateur sailmakers. In the process, the company made sailmaking accessible to boaters of all skill levels with books, videos, and instruction guides. Sailrite has grown into areas other than sailmaking, and has become a canvas worker’s hardware store, offering fabric, hardware, and other product lines. The company was started in a garage in Pomona, California more than forty years ago, was relocated to Indiana in 1976, and has remained in the Midwest ever since. For more information about Sailrite, visit www.sailrite.com.
About Whitley County EDC
The Whitley County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is the lead economic development agency in Whitley County, Indiana. The EDC works closely with local, regional, and state partners to support our industry clients' growth and success. Our mission is to implement a unified economic development effort and to expand employment and business opportunities for the benefit of the people of Whitley County by developing and maintaining cooperation of all individuals, groups, and organizations within the county. The Whitley County EDC was established in 1992 and represents Whitley County, Columbia City, and the Towns of Churubusco, Larwill, and South Whitley. For more information about the EDC, visit www.whitleyedc.com.
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Media Contacts:
Matt Grant (Sailrite) – 260.693.2242
Kim Wheeler (Whitley County Council) – 260.799.5511
Alan Tio (Whitley County EDC) – 260.244.5506