Autoliv announces plans for massive expansion to Columbia City facility

With Gov. Joe Kernan on hand, representatives from automotive safety-device manufacturer Autoliv unveiled designs to triple the work force and double the size of the company's Columbia City plant over the next five years.

With a present work force of about 320 workers in a 120,000-square-foot plant along U.S. 30, a proposed $37-million investment over the next half decade is expected to bring with it nearly 700 new jobs. Kernan helped Autoliv officials to break ground on the 120,000-square-foot expansion to the existing structure to accommodate the growing work force and production capabilities the investment will bring.

"Over the past seven years, Autoliv has grown into one of the state's strongest manufacturing operations, and we are pleased to help them with this expansion project," Kernan said.

When it first came to Columbia City in 1997, Autoliv employed less than 50 people. The company, headquartered in the Detroit suburb of Auburn Hills, is a leading manufacturer of automotive safety products, like seat belts and airbags. It employs an estimated 37,000 people worldwide.

More than $12 million in state incentives, through a mix of tax credits and training grants, helped the Whitley County location beat out heavy competition from sites in Utah, Kentucky, Texas and Mexico.