A Canadian company that uses recycled rubber to make industrial products is locating its US headquarters on Muncie’s south side.  IPR’s Stephanie Wiechmann reports.

Clearline Technologies says it will invest up to $4 million to buy and retrofit the former Henman Tool building in the Industria Centre industrial park.  County officials say the building has sat vacant for about three years.

Clearline mainly uses recycled rubber and metal to make support systems for businesses that put air conditioners, pipes, and solar panels on their roofs.

Clearline managing director Alain Masson says 70 percent of his company’s products are sold and used in the US, so it makes sense for the Canadian company to manufacture in the US.

“We did a very thorough search – not just in Indiana, but in Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio.  It would have been faster without a pandemic, but we were able to get this done with a pandemic.”

Masson says Clearline will hire 10 to 20 people in its first year.  It’s goal is to hire up to 50 people total within five years.  Clearline will receive state tax credits from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, but only once it actually hires Hoosiers.