Onward Manufacturing opens U.S. plant
Canadian gas grill maker to create 300 jobs in Indiana
-- Casual Living, 11/9/2009 9:45:00 AM
Onward Manufacturing Company, Canada’s leading manufacturer and distributor of quality outdoor grilling products, has opened its newest manufacturing facility in America’s Heartland.
The newly renovated 400,000-sq.-ft. production facility in Huntington, Ind., will produce a new line of high performance gas grills under the brand names Broil King, Huntington Forge and Broil-Mate. Opened in response to the growing demand for quality North American-made gas grills, the plant will employ approximately 300 employees by 2011.
“We are very confident about the benefits provided by manufacturing in the United States,” said Ted Witzel, CEO of Onward Manufacturing Company. “A highly skilled workforce, efficient production practices and access to high quality materials will enable us to provide our U.S. customers with a high quality product while maintaining competitive prices. We are proud to support the North American workforce and look forward to working with the Huntington community.”
This expansion continues to establish OMC as a leading “one stop shop” for hearth and patio retailers, providing timely access to a full line of gas and charcoal grills, grilling accessories and smokers.
This venture also represents a significant investment for OMC. When the plant reaches full production, it will have the capacity to produce several hundred thousand units annually. This will enhance OMC’s overall North American manufacturing capabilities.
The new facility in Indiana compliments the OMC production facility in Waterloo, ON, and distribution facilities in Kitchener ON, Joplin, MO, and Neston, UK.
“Onward’s decision to locate here is the latest proof that Indiana has become a magnet for international investment and jobs,” Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels said. “We thank Onward for its confidence in Indiana and look forward to partnering with the company on these new jobs.”
Onward Manufacturing Company Ltd. is a family owned company in business since 1906. As a manufacturer and distributor of quality gas grill products for more than 25 years, OMC has built a reputation for quality, durability and cooking performance. OMC gas grills, which include Broil King and Broil-Mate, as well as Barbecue Genius and GrillPro accessories, are available at leading retailers across North America and in 30 countries around the world. More information is available by visiting www.omcbbq.com or by calling OMC’s grilling experts at 1-800-265-2150.
I know several people who work in that plant and the working conditions are reminisent of a sweat shop. The workers are not given water during thier shift nor fans on the lines and tempratures in that factory routinely reach over 100 degrees. The management can't seem to get thier act together and make sure enough parts are in the factory to supply the workers with enough work for the week and routinely have the workers called off for up to a week at a time.
Last but not least, the management still has not given any of the workers a hand book and routinely change policy to fit the wants of the company. One such policy was the attendance policy that allowed workers to miss up to two days for "personal reasons" that would count against them, but, illness was "excused".
With out warning, they changed "policy" to say ANY absents was unexcused and that missing more than two days/month period was a violation of said policy.
In short, they might have brought some jobs here but, in my opinion, they are exploiting the workers here to make cheap grills sacrificing saftey and quality for a quick buck. This kind of business we can do with out.
Russ - 2010-07-27 14:06:09 EDT
Working as a temp in Huntington plant, find the people to be of high caliber. Hope to perform the best I can.
Larry L. Willoughby - 2010-05-24 18:28:00 EDT
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