LSC Communications will expand operations at the Sloan Street north plant, the company announced Wednesday, with plans to hire more than 70 people in the coming months.
The Chicago-based printing company is shifting production lines to the plant from its Philadelphia site, which is expected to close by Christmas idling 174 workers, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. The facility printed Bibles for distributor Gideons International.
Philadelphia’s web press, fully integrated binding line and other equipment will move to the Sloan Street plant, local LSC officials said in a press release, which cited the on-boarding of a new customer and continued growth of its customer base.
“As we approach our 100 year anniversary in the community, we are seeing clear signs of growth and investment to carry us into the next century,” Mike Berendes, vice president of manufacturing, said in a prepared statement. The Sloan Street plant opened in 1921.
A combination of manufacturing and salaried employees will fill the added positions, local company officials said. LSC currently employs about 1,000 people between the two Crawfordsville plants.
Ahead of the official announcement, the city began laying the groundwork to establish the Sloan Street plant, which opened in 1921, as a TIF district. Tax revenues generated from the district will be used for future projects on Crawfordsville’s south side.
Earlier this year, LSC opened an on-site health clinic for employees and their families at the plant on East State Road 32.
“We greatly appreciate LSC Communication’s investment in our community, especially their recent commitment to North Plant operations,” Mayor Todd Barton said in a statement released by the company.
“LSC has become an invaluable partner in local efforts to ensure we can provide a highly skilled workforce for the rewarding career opportunities being created with this type of new investment,” Barton added.
