A 181-year-old Wayne County employer is expanding its products and number of employees through confident new owners.
At its July 15 meeting, Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County’s board approved a $73,000 grant for National Stamping & Fabrications LLC. The company continues doing business as J.M. Hutton & Co. at 1701 S. Eighth St. in Richmond.
National Manufacturing Group announced the purchase of the 275,000-square-foot factory in January, expanding its production space across five states.
County government has final approval of the Economic Development Income Tax grant request.
The company plans to add 37 jobs (15 this year and eight, nine and five in subsequent years) and retain 50. The hourly average wage of the new positions will increase from $27.20 this year to $31.14 in 2029, not including fringe benefits.
President Richard Gries wants to continue J.M. Hutton’s legacy of making custom caskets because of the company’s great reputation in the field. It’s the oldest casket manufacturer in the nation, in its original location since 1845.
However, Gries said the Richmond plant can’t survive on caskets alone because dramatic industry changes — broader use of cremation and consolidation of large manufacturers — have led to a tight competitive market.
Fortunately, Gries said they’re already bringing in more business from the company’s existing customer base and are busting at the seams with projects.
Current clients include Autocar (trash truck parts), Henny Penny (chicken fryers) and Viant (medical trays).
They plan to add three complete truck cab production lines, hiring cab line workers, welders, press brake operators and maintenance.
Gries said other manufacturers left behind a wealth of talented manufacturing employees here.
EDC President Valerie Shaffer said the organization wasn’t sure what to expect with new ownership, but they’re very appreciative of reinvestments and growth.
Equipment purchases include press brakes, a turret punch, a curing oven, an overhead crane and items for coordinate measuring, lasers, and robotic fabrication and welding by December 2028. New information technology and research and development equipment are expected by December 2027.
Break facilities, restrooms and offices are also being renovated, Gries said.
2027 budget
EDC is making its budget request to county government, seeking 2.1% more ($17,596.33) in 2027. That’s largely to cover increases for employee health insurance, salary and taxes as well as information technology services, supplies and subscriptions. Shaffer said they were advised to budget 18% more for health insurance.
In other business
- Board members welcomed new EDC office manager Lisa Cougill.
- EDC aims to recruit 10 more workers through the Make My Move program before its contract expires in September to fill 20 relocation incentives. It’s welcoming new workers from Ohio, Kentucky, Alabama and Wisconsin.
- Indiana has returned to previous incentive requirements where new jobs must pay at least the county’s average wage. State changes made in January meant many new projects and expansions weren’t eligible for incentives.
Shaffer said companies want to feel welcome and supported and receive incentives from state and local governments. Economic development organizations raised concerns to state officials.
Shaffer hopes that more state leads will be generated now that word is getting to site consultants to consider Indiana.
A version of this article appeared in the July 22 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
