Jasper County startup to manufacture PPE

RENSSELAER, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — The owner of a Rensselaer-based filtration manufacturer is launching a startup focused on producing personal protective equipment in response to COVID-19. Fred Geyer, who owns American Melt Blown & Filtration, has founded Indiana Face Mask along with his wife, Stephanie, and son, Clayton. The company plans to manufacture N95 respirator masks and other medical-grade supplies and create up to 14 jobs in Jasper County.

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. says the Geyers will make a “significant investment” to transform a vacant building in Rensselaer into a federally-approved PPE production facility, though specific financial details were not disclosed.

The more than 25,000-square-foot facility is expected to be fully operational this fall.

“We’re happy to be able to bring tested, certified and proven PPE supplies to our frontline workers here in Indiana and across the nation,” said Fred Geyer. “As a company, we’ve always been focused on delivering quality, American-made products, and we’re excited to uphold these same values as we work together with the state and city to launch this new venture in our community.” 

The IEDC says, when fully operational, the facility is expected to be able to produce 17 million N95, Class 1 and Class 3 surgical masks per year.

The company plans to begin hiring for production jobs immediately. Individuals interested in applying are being encouraged to email their resumes to Vice President Clayton Geyer, which can be done by clicking here.

The IEDC has offered Indiana Face Mask up to $130,000 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 Rensselaer has also approved a $32,000 personal property tax abatement for the project.