Mark Thomas, president of CraneWerks, 6986 West U.S. 52, Arlington, recently announced that his company will soon undertake an expansion project, an expansion that will include an 11,000 square foot building near the parent building and be located at 6692 West U.S. 52.

The project represents an investment of approximately $750,000.

It is anticipated that once completed and operational the facility will double the number of employees at CraneWerks from 24 to 50.

The new site will also be home to three business affiliates of CraneWerks: AccountingWerks, Harriman Material Handling and Service Crane Company.

“This is a great day for Rush County. A business of this nature is just what the county needs,” business specialist Mark Sloan of the Rush County ECDC said.

CraneWerks officials, current employees and city and county officials were on hand for the well attended groundbreaking event.

“These are the types of jobs we need locally. The current number of 24 employees will be more than doubled, with the employees making nearly $22 per hour,” Sloan said. “The only way to increase the quality of living for citizens is to offer them good paying jobs and this is one of those types of operations.”

According to Thomas, Rush County has provided just the type of business environment that his company has been looking for.

“The people of Rush County have been very supportive of my business and we are looking forward to continuing and building on that relationship,” Thomas said.

It is anticipated the addition to the business will be fully operation in 2008.

CraneWerks manufactures underhung crane systems and bridge cranes, among other items. The products manufactured are utilized by a number of manufacturing operations.

Frank Denzler can be contacted at (765) 932-2222 ext. 106 or via e-mail at frank.denzler@rushvillerepublican.com. To add a comment to this story visit our Web site at www.rushvillerepublican.com.