Grob Systems to add 113 jobs in Bluffton | Business

By Lou Wilin – Findlay Courier Staff Writer

BLUFFTON, OH (THE COURIER) - Grob Systems in Bluffton will be adding 113 employees in the coming months and years as part of an expansion.

Little information about the expansion was provided by the company, which manufactures equipment enabling the Detroit's Big Three automakers to produce engines and transmissions. It employs 253.

The company hopes to expand this year, but Grob's Controller and Human Resources Manager Annette Heslep declined to provide further details about the expansion.

The exact timing of the hiring of the new workers also was not specified. Heslep said it could occur over a period of years. With the economy languishing, any news of new jobs is welcome.

"This is great news for Hancock County," Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development Director Anthony Iriti said. "We are very excited about it."

So, too, are state officials.

The Ohio Tax Credit Authority on Monday granted Grob a $340,044 payroll tax credit on the planned 113 new full-time jobs over seven years. Average wage of the jobs will be $15 per hour, plus $3.08 per hour in benefits. They will add $3.5 million to Grob's payroll.

To get the full tax credit, Grob must maintain operations in Bluffton for at least 10 years.

Grob Systems is a subsidiary of Grob-Werke, which is located in Mindelheim, Germany.

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