A New Haven manufacturer will invest $500,000 and add four jobs in an expansion project announced Wednesday.
JCR Automation Inc., which currently employs 16, plans to buy an existing building at 1426 Ryan Road and add an additional 9,000 square feet for manufacturing and warehouse space.
JCR Automation is involved with a variety of industries but focuses on its continuous-process product line for the high-speed, progressive die stamping industry, a news release from the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance said. The company also offers custom automation, test equipment and vision-system inspection integration.
Rick Johnson, president of JCR Automation, said in a statement the expansion will help ensure the company’s products remain innovative and help it to be a leader in the automation field.
The company plans to invest $200,000 in the new facility and $300,000 in new equipment. The Allen County Council on Aug. 16 will be asked to consider phasing in real and personal property taxes associated with the project. JCR Automation could save $15,013 although the company would still pay more than $37,471 in local property tax over five years.
Lakeland earnings increase 10 percent
Lakeland Financial Corp. on Wednesday reported record second-quarter earnings of $8.8 million, or 54 cents per diluted common share, a 10 percent increase over the $8 million, or 49 cents a share, posted for the same three months of 2011.
The Warsaw-based parent of Lake City Bank set a record for the most profit earned for any quarter in its 140-year history. The per-share earnings and six-month earnings of $17.4 million were also records, the company reported.
Michael Kubacki, chairman and CEO, said Lake City has “strong earnings momentum and a robust balance sheet.”
The company’s board approved a second-quarter cash dividend of 17 cents, payable on Aug. 6 to shareholders of record as of Wednesday. Lake City has increased its dividend 10 percent over the amount it paid last year.
Toyota takes first-half global sales lead
Toyota bounced back from safety recalls and natural disasters, selling 4.97 million vehicles globally in the first half of the year to retake its crown as the world’s top automaker from General Motors Co.
The Japanese company sold about 300,000 more cars and trucks than GM did in the first half of the year, a lead large enough that it will be difficult for GM to catch Toyota in the final six months of 2012.
GM said it sold 4.67 million vehicles during the first half. Both companies released their numbers Wednesday.
For Toyota Motor Corp., the numbers underline a powerful rebound from a period of dismal sales.
Ice rinks seeking part-time help
The ice rinks at Lutheran Health SportsCenter has scheduled a job fair for part-time job seekers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 3. The facility is at the intersection of Fernhill Avenue, Wells Street and Lima Road.
Multiple positions including line cooks, customer service representatives, janitors and skate guards are available, with pay ranging from $7.25 to $9.50 an hour, said Martin Holleley, general manager for Canlan Ice Sports.
