A forklift truck manufacturer has announced its intention to buy a downtown New Castle building and expand its Indiana operations. It would be fair to assume that they would probably partner services similar to Forklift Sales & Servicing Sunshine Coast to focus on a coordinated expansion effort. Crown Equipment Corporation says it will buy the former Metaldyne building in New Castle and will create up to 150 new jobs by 2013. Crown makes materials handling equipment – like lift trucks and hand pallet truck trolleys. The New Bremen, Ohio-based company already operates seven locations in Indiana, employing more than 500 workers. Crown says it will invest more than $15 million to purchase and renovate the Henry County building. Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman appeared with company owners today to make the announcement. She says Indiana’s low cost of doing business is what kept the company in the state. In addition, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation will give Crown up to $1.2 million in performance-based tax credits to locate in Henry County. New Castle Mayor Jim Smalls says the city will consider offering the company additional tax abatements. Company president Jim Dicke, the Third, says Crown will begin hiring additional personnel this fall.