Indiana safety firm bringing 30 jobs to Burrton

An Indiana firm that builds safety equipment will open a plant along U.S. 50 in Burrton in Harvey County, providing at least 30 new jobs to the community of 1,100.

IMMI, based in Westfield, Ind., will build school bus components at 302 E. Dean in Burrton, officials from the company announced Thursday.

Production should begin in 60 to 90 days, officials said.

For more than 50 years, IMMI has been involved in the design, testing and manufacturing of safety systems for the commercial vehicle, fire and ambulance, child seating, school bus and motor coach industries. The company has facilities in the United States, Asia and Europe.

The 47,000-square-foot facility along the highway was acquired from Hardwood Supply, a longtime Burrton wood trim firm. The company also acquired an adjoining 18 acres along the highway for possible growth, officials said.

Mickey Fornaro-Dean, the executive director of the Harvey County Economic Development Council who helped broker the deal, said logistics played a key role in IMMI’s decision to locate in Burrton.

“I think U.S. 50 had a huge influence on their decision,” she said. “One of their major contracts is Collins in Hutchinson and another major company they work with is in Tulsa, The highway connection east to I-35 and then south, and then west into Hutchinson plays a huge role.”

A combination of state and local tax incentives was put together to land the plant, including tax abatements and utility cost breaks from the city of Burrton.

“I congratulate IMMI on its expansion to Burrton,” said Kansas Commerce Secretary Pat George in a statement. “I am pleased the Department of Commerce was able to partner with IMMI, the city of Burrton and Harvey County to bring a growing company and good jobs to the area. I look forward to the company’s future success.”

“We could not be more pleased to welcome this new business as a member of the Burrton community,” said Jim Heinicke, Burrton’s city administrator and president of the Harvey County Economic Development Council. “The investment and new jobs to be created are a wonderful opportunity for the city.”

This story was originally published January 13, 2012 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Indiana safety firm bringing 30 jobs to Burrton."