Stens Corp purchasing Columbus Container building

Stens Corporation announced today they are purchasing the Columbus Container building located at 1919 Hospitality Drive.

“We looked at that building in 2002 when we opened here in Jasper,” Peter Ariens, President of Stens Corporation said. “We thought at that point it would be way too big for us but look at us now.”

Ariens reported Stens Corporation is in the midst of a record year for sales and production and has been growing for the past eight years. “In a down economy we tend to do better,” Ariens said. “We don’t like to gloat on it but we do better because people are fixing not buying new. Now, our other company (Ariens) sells equipment, so it hurts them but they are doing well because of their parts sales.”

Stens Corporations was the first of two companies to take advantage of the new tax abatement program from the City of Jasper. The abatements were granted in November of 2011 based on the plans to refurbish a vacant building owned by Kimball International. In June it Stens announced it had backed out of the deal due to the cost of  renovating that location.

Stens will be investing around $4 to 5 million locally in the move to the new location. Ariens stated they plan on reapplying for the tax abatements but constuction would begin nearly immediately. “We have already started the bidding process and contracts should be announced Friday or Monday,” Ariens said. “The permitting process would begin immediately with the goal of having all operations there by January of 2013.”

During his remarks, Mayor Terry Seitz stated, “We are delighted to have the Ariens family and Stens continue to call Jasper their home. Repurposing an existing building for the growth of an existing business is representative of local economic development at its finest.”

Stens was awarded the tax abatement based on the 96 jobs the expansion would potentially bring over a five year period. Ariens stated he still expects that growth and currently they have filled eight additional positions and have about 20 open. He said those interested in applying can do so at the headquarters on Kathy Lane or at the Stens or Ariens websites.

The new location has room for further expansion as Stens plans on making the 157,000 square foot building the global headquarters and distribution center.  “The great thing about that piece of property is that it comes with 17 acres,” Ariens said. “We have room for an additional 50,000 square feet of expansion to the south of the building if we need it.”

Jim Dinkle, President and CEO of Dubois Strong, stated, “The most rewarding economic development project is one in which a homegrown, existing business expands. Dubois Strong and our board of directors and investors are proud that Stens’ roots will only grow deeper in Dubois County as a result of this major expansion.”