The Tribune Staff Reports

An automotive parts maker announced plans to invest nearly $41 million in its Seymour operations Monday night during a Seymour City Council meeting.

Aisin USA Manufacturing Inc. sought and received two 10-year tax abatements for $29.9 million in investments related to the purchase and installation of new equipment and renovations of existing equipment at Plant 1 at 1700 E. Fourth St. in the Eastside Industrial Park.

The council also approved a third 10-year abatement of $11.98 million for similar work at Plant 2 at 500 Burkart Blvd.

Abatements allow businesses to phase in paying taxes on personal property and real estate improvements over the next 10 years.

Aisin’s projects are related to customer design changes and new model requirements for automotive components used in assemblies shipped to the company’s customer base for various models, according to information provided with the abatement requests. The company supplies parts for the Toyota Sienna, Highlander, Corolla and Avalon; the Honda Odyssey; and various Chevrolet, Subaru and Lexus models.

None of the projects are expected to lead to the addition of employees but will lead to the retention of 1,354 employees at Plant 1 and another 485 at Plant 2, officials said.

All three Aisin projects have an estimated start date of June 1 and are expected to be completed by June 2, 2021.

The council also OK’d a $5.2 million abatement for The Andersons Seymour nutrient manufacturing plant at 101 Agrico Lane.

According to the project description included with the request, the company plans to add five employees to its present workforce of 16. The new employees are expected to add $200,000 to the company’s $780,000 payroll.

The project is designed to increase production and improve efficiency. It will include new turf fertilizer production, granulation and distribution loading/unloading machinery and equipment and new packaging equipment.

The start date for that project is May 31 and is expected to be completed by Nov. 30.