SEYMOUR, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — A Chicago-based consumer products manufacturer is shutting down its operations in Jackson County. In a notice to the state, Home Products International-North America Inc. says it will close its two manufacturing plants and distribution center in Seymour and lay off 123 employees.

The Seymour facilities manufactured steel ironing boards, according HPI’s website. The company did not provide a reason for the closure, only saying it was a “difficult decision.”

HPI says production is expected to cease at the end of May and layoffs will take place over a two-week period from May 16 to May 27. The company anticipates continuing to employ a small number of workers “who support other HPI operations.”

The affected employees are not represented by a union and do not have bumping rights. The company did not specify if any assistance was being provided to the workers.

HPI has not yet responded to a request for more information from Inside INdiana Business.

SEYMOUR, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — Rose Acre Farms has sold a soybean crushing facility to food technology and ingredient company Benson Hill Inc. of St. Louis. While terms of the deal were not disclosed, Benson Hill says the investment represents a “significant milestone” in the company’s growth plan, which includes the development of plant-based protein products.

The food tech company says the acquisition will support production of a portfolio of proprietary, non-GMO, and sustainable soy protein and oil ingredients for the human food and animal feed markets.

“The acquisition of the Rose Acre Farms soybean crushing facility represents an important next step in the execution of our playbook for growth,” said Bruce Bennett, president, Ingredients division at Benson Hill. “This targeted investment can ultimately provide the production capacity to deliver on our integrated business model for commercialization and scaling of our innovative soybean products, including Ultra-High Protein soybean ingredients.”

Bennett says the facility will ultimately have the capacity to process the company’s proprietary soybean varieties, including the first commercial plantings of its Ultra-High Protein soybeans, which will be harvested this fall. Benson Hill says it will continue to serve existing customers.

The companies expect to close the deal later this month.

WHITE COUNTY, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — Seymour-based Rose Acre Farms Inc. has notified the state it plans to shut down one of its egg farms and lay off nearly 100 workers. The company says it will be closing its farm in the White County town of Monon in June.

Rose Acre says the layoffs should be considered permanent however the company says it hopes to reopen the farm in the future.

The company is the second-largest egg producer in the U.S. It operates 17 facilities in eight states, according to the company website.

SEYMOUR, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — Columbus-based Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) has announced plans for a major investment at its Seymour Engine Plant. The manufacturer says it will pump more than $25 million into the facility, which will help to create nearly 90 jobs and retain about 60 more over the next 5-10 years. The SEP serves as the global high-horsepower headquarters for Cummins, which will use the investment to upgrade existing plant infrastructure.

Cummins says it is making the investment to “improve and refine the plan’s capabilities” as it prepares for the addition of a new engine platform set to launch in 2024.

“After our significant investments into our manufacturing and tech center infrastructure over the last 10 years, our latest expansion decision will once again expand our ability to serve global markets and bring new products and technology from our high horsepower engine hub in Seymour,” said Norbert Nusterer, president of the power systems business segment at Cummins. “The evolving partnerships with our terrific workforce as well as the city help us build a more successful company, while in turn allowing us to contribute to stronger and more vibrant communities in and around Seymour.”

The company says the investment will bring in new manufacturing capabilities, including assembly, machining and block lines, as well as new testing equipment.

The Seymour Engine Plant currently employs some 1,100 workers. The plant products natural gas and diesel engines for the power generation, rail, marine, mining, agricultural, oil and gas, industrial and defense industries.

Cummins says it has invested more than $350 million at the facility over the last 10 years.

“The decision by Cummins to again invest in Seymour is tremendous news,” Seymour Mayor Matt Nicholson said in a news release. “We believe our commitment to create and maintain a business-friendly environment, when combined with the workforce they are able to attract from throughout South Central Indiana, are reasons Cummins continues to invest in Seymour. Not only does this project create new jobs, but it also will retain workers which is a win-win for everyone.”

The Indiana Economic Development Corp. has offered Cummins up to $550,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $100,000 in training grants, which the company will not eligible to claim until Hoosier workers are hired for the new jobs.

SEYMOUR, Ind. (AP) — A southern Indiana man has been convicted in the death of his 8-year-old son, who died from an overdose of methamphetamine he ingested after possibly mistaking the drug for food.

A Jackson County jury convicted Curtis G. Collman II of Seymour on Thursday of neglect of a dependent resulting in death, and other charges.

The 43-year-old Seymour man was arrested after his son, Curtis Collman III, died from a lethal dose of meth in June 2018.

The Seymour Tribune reports that an officer said in a probable cause affidavit that the boy, while hungry, could have mistaken the drug for cereal crumbs in the home’s poor lighting.

SEYMOUR, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) – The Jackson County Industrial Development Corp. will Wednesday host a drive-in job fair in Seymour. The event at Crossroads Park will feature 10 companies looking to fill a variety of positions.

The organization says the event will be held from 10 a.m. to noon and then again from 4 to 6 p.m.

The participating companies include Aisin Drivetrain, Aisin USA, Cerrowire, Cummins, Lannett, O&K American, Pet Supplies Plus, Rose Acre Farms, The Royal Group, and Walmart Distribution.

The Jackson County ICD says masks are required and temperature checks will be taken upon entering.

SEYMOUR, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) – The Jackson County Industrial Development Corp. will Wednesday host a drive-in job fair. The fair will be held at Seymour High School from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Participating companies include Aisin AUM, Aisin Drivetrain, Cummins-Seymour Engine Plant, Pet Supplies Plus, and Rose Acre Farms, among others.

The IDC will require guests to wear facial coverings and temperature checks will be taken. Applicants are encouraged to apply online prior to attending and should bring resumes to the event.

A rain date is scheduled for Thursday.

The Jackson County IDC serves Seymour, Brownstown, Crothersville, and Medora.

SEYMOUR, Ind. (WISH) — An 81-year-old Seymour man died in a crash involving three trucks and two SUVs on U.S. 50 between Seymour and Brownstown on Friday afternoon, Indiana State police said Friday night.

Herschel Williams was taken from the crash scene to Schneck Medical Center, a Seymour hospital, where the county coroner pronounced Williams dead. At least one other person was taken to a hospital for injuries.

State troopers and Jackson County sheriff’s deputies were called just after 1 p.m. Friday to the 3000 block of U.S. 50. The crash was in front of Schneider Nursery near County Road 260 East.

An investigation found that Williams was eastbound on U.S. 50 in a 2014 Ford F150 truck when, for unknown reasons, his vehicle crossed the centerline and struck the driver’s side of a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox sport-utility vehicle driven by Brandy Schafstall, 45, of Seymour. The SUV overturned once and came to rest on its wheels. She was also taken to the medical center and evaluated for injuries not believed to be life-threatening, the state police said in a news release.

Williams’ truck then continued eastbound and struck head-on a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado truck driven by Seth Zike, 40, of Brownstown. The truck overturned and came to rest on its top in a ditch. Zike and three passengers in his truck were taken by ambulance to an undisclosed location for treatment of their injuries, the news release said.

In an attempt to avoid Schafstall’s SUV that had come to rest in the middle of the road, a 2005 Chevrolet Equinox SUV driven by Haley Godsey struck a guardrail. Additional information on Godsey was not included in the news release.

Also, police said, a 2001 Toyota truck was damaged by debris in the road as its driver tried to avoid the other vehicles in the crash. The driver of the Toyota was not named in the news release.

Alcohol and drugs are not suspected to be factors in the crash.

SEYMOUR, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — A Philadelphia-based generic pharmaceutical manufacturer has announced a restructuring plan involving its facility in Jackson County. Lannett Co. Inc. (NYSE: LCI) says it is consolidating its research and development operations into a single facility, which involves 80 employees being laid off, a majority of them located in Seymour.

The company says the move is part of a cost savings plan. Tim Crew, chief executive officer of Lannett, says the Seymour employees affected by the move will receive severance and other benefits.

“This is a difficult but necessary move for the company,” Crew said. “The people of Lannett dedicate themselves to the business, and we appreciate all of their contributions.”

The number of jobs being reduced represents about 8.5% of the company’s total workforce. Crew says the goal of the move is to strengthen the business by enhancing manufacturing efficiencies and improving the company’s cost structure.

Lannett says the restructuring plan is designed to, in part, mitigate the impact of competitive pricing pressure.

“At the same time, we had expected pricing pressure in fiscal 2021 on certain key products, including generic Fluphenazine, currently our largest revenue product and one that has higher than average gross margins. A competitor has recently received approval for this product and we believe will launch shortly.”

The company says it expects the restructuring to result in cost savings of more than $15 million annually.

SEYMOUR, Ind. (WISH) — The former chief of police and a current captain of the Seymour Police Department have been arrested for ghost employment.

Former Seymour Police Department Chief William Abbott and Captain Carl Lamb have been arrested by Indiana State Police. The investigation began in October.

The pair are accused of working for other organizations while on-duty for the Seymour Police Department.

According to investigators, Abbott scheduled off-duty officers to work security at Schneck Medical Center and performed those duties while also working at the police department.

Lamb is accused of being paid by a security company for duties at the same time he was working for the police department. ISP says he worked for K4 Security, scheduling officers to work for the Jeffersonville-based company.

State police say Lamb also co-owned his own security operation, BSafe Tactical, and worked for that company while also on duty for the police department.

They face preliminary charges of official misconduct, ghost employment and theft.

They’ve been booked into the Jackson County Jail.