Ken De La Bastide, The Herald Bulletin
March 14, 2024
ANDERSON — A company operating in Anderson since 1955 is planning to construct a new $10 million facility.
Perfecto Tool and Engineering is planning to build on the former General Motors Plant 10 site near 29th Street.
The property contains 9.8 acres and was cleaned of hazardous materials over the past few years.
Perfecto Tool and Engineering does die casting, builds replacement parts and rebuilds die cast machinery.
The Anderson Redevelopment Commission on Tuesday approved a $1.6 million bond which will be paid off through the increased assessed value on the property.
The Redevelopment Commission also approved $300,000 for the construction of a retention pond that will capture water in the area and eventually be released into a drainage ditch.
The commission also approved an economic development agreement and sale of the property to Perfecto.
Mike Austin, attorney for the Redevelopment Commission will negotiate the sale price for the property.
“This property was hard to develop,” Austin said. “This is an ideal use for this property. We want Perfecto to have that site.”
Greg Winkler, executive director of the Anderson Economic Development Department, said Perfecto is planning a 60,000 square foot building with room for expansion to a 120,000 square foot building if needed.
The company has been located in the 1100 block of West 53rd Street and has expanded that site four times.
Andy Skaggs, president of Perfecto, said 10 years ago the company worked to define and grow the business.
He said the company has five business units for special machine building, detail manufacturing, engineering services, jet shop and inventory details.
“We’re a full-service machine shop with customers all around the world,” Skaggs said.
The new building will double the size of the company’s facilities, he said.
“We’re no longer land-locked,” Skaggs said. “We look forward to coming back to talk about our future expansion.”
Winkler said the company currently employs 40 people with plans to add 25 jobs in the future.
Perfecto Tool and Engineering started their own apprenticeship program which Winkler said is considered one of the best in Madison County.
Skaggs said the company has partnerships with Purdue Polytechnic Institute, Ivy Tech Community College and the Alexandria School System.
“The program is not just for us,” he said. “It’s to train people for other employers.”
Skaggs said most company employees reside in Madison County and there is an advantage to being in Anderson.