Louisville manufacturer plans $54M expansion into Indiana

Conco is the second company in less than a year to announce plans to locate in the former Tokusen USA building.

SCOTTSBURG, Ind. - Louisville-based Conco Inc., a manufacturer of ammunition containers, is planning to expand into southern Indiana.

One Southern Indiana (1si), the economic development organization and chamber of commerce for Clark and Floyd counties, said Monday the company plans to invest $54.5 million to purchase, upgrade and equip the former Tokusen USA facility in Scottsburg and create up to 175 jobs by the end of 2026.

The 310,000-square-foot location will be Conco’s first manufacturing operation outside of its Louisville headquarters.

“When looking at locations, the former Tokusen USA space was a perfect fit for what we needed to expand, and we look forward to working with the State of Indiana, the City of Scottsburg, and its residents to create additional growth for the region,” Conco CEO Karen Paschal said in a news release.

Conco has been a supplier to the U.S. military for more than 50 years and also serves as a designated “return site” to store, de-militarize, and prepare container models for reuse and resale.

The new jobs are slated to include a number of positions, including production team members, quality technicians, welders, paint technicians, process technicians, electricians and administration.

1si said the jobs will come with an average wage of $28 per hour, more than 33% higher than the county average.

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. is committing up to nearly $2 million in conditional tax credits, which the company will not be eligible to claim until Hoosier workers are hired for the new jobs. The city of Scottsburg has approved additional incentives as well.

“The City of Scottsburg is thrilled to be working with Conco and helping them establish a home in Scottsburg,” Mayor Terry Amick said. “We are proud to support their efforts as they expand their services for the United States Armed Forces and are excited to see the local community growth they will bring to the area.”

Conco is the second company in less than a year to announce plans to locate in the former Tokusen USA building. In November 2022, steel and composite products manufacturer GIM Inc., also based in Louisville, said it would invest $18 million to set up shop at the facility and create 135 jobs.

A spokesperson for 1si said the company “is not moving forward with their project as originally announced” at this time. A request for comment from GIM Inc. was not immediately returned.

Conco expects to begin operations in Scottsburg in 2024.