Ford Meter Box Co. is expanding its metalcasting operation in Wabash, IN, with a new, 300,000-sq.ft foundry, to increase its output of brass castings for water and wastewater projects and civil and industrial applications. There also will be new office space and room to add future production lines. It will be the largest expansion in the 112-year-old history of Ford Meter Box.
“The new facility will complement existing manufacturing operations at the firm’s Manchester Avenue location,” company president Steve Ford explained. “Parts of our present foundry will remain in production, and parts will be repurposed to better utilize space.”
The planned production volume following the expansion was not announced.
Budgeted at up to $300 million, the new plant will be adjacent to the current Ford Meter Box foundry and will establish up to 126 new jobs by 2027, according to an announcement.
A project groundbreaking is expected later this summer.
GK Systems announced it was chosen to be the principal design firm for the project, following an engineering study it began in April 2022. ““Being selected as a partner by Ford Meter Box is a true honor. Our shared values of family and community drive our businesses. We both strive to uphold the highest standards while delivering quality products, making the opportunity an even greater privilege,” according to General Kinematics CEO Tom Muschoot.
Local reports detail that the Indiana Economic Development Corp. committed up to $1.2 million in incentive-based tax credits and up to $200,000 in training grants for the project. Other performance-based tax credits also are available based on hiring and investments.
Ford Meter Box cast products are used to manufacture water meter setting and testing equipment, service line valves and fittings, and pipeline coupling, repair and restraint products for the waterworks industry and ancillary markets. In addition to the Indiana foundry it has a manufacturing operation in Pell City, Ala.