Italian Business Partnerships: Delaware County's MOU Milestone

02 Nov, 2023

Italian Business Partnerships: Delaware County's MOU Milestone

Delaware County officials have wrapped up a productive trip to northern Italy, resulting in the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with three Italian companies keen on establishing or expanding their presence in the county.

Delaware County Commissioners President Shannon Henry and Vice President James King engaged with 25 firms during the trip, with the objective of promoting business opportunities in east central Indiana.

The first MOU was inked with Gamma Meccanica, a machinery manufacturer specializing in plastic recycling. The company, with over 200 employees at its Bibbiano, Italy facility, intends to lease a Delaware County location while considering two undisclosed sites for constructing a new facility. This venture entails a $2 million investment for machinery in Delaware County, resulting in the creation of four advanced technician positions. Andrea Burini, CEO of Gamma Meccanica, expressed gratitude for the support provided by County Economic Development Director Brad Bookout and looks forward to strengthening ties with the Muncie-Delaware County Community.

The second MOU was signed by Trebi Srl, a robotics firm with an existing sales office in Delaware County. The company's plan includes adding a warehouse location, though the exact investment amount remains undisclosed. This expansion reinforces Delaware County's position as Trebi's North American headquarters. Piercarlo Bonomi, Trebi’s chief engineer, cited the central Midwest location as pivotal for their growth potential and underlined the positive market potential.

The third MOU was sealed with Vi-Technik Srl, a manufacturer of components for major automotive OEMs, including advanced plastic technology used in autonomous driving cameras. The company's initial step involves leasing a 15,000-square-foot facility in the south Muncie Industrial Center, with an investment of $1.8 million in robotic equipment and plans to hire up to 40 employees. CEO Fabrizio Vito highlighted the collaborative efforts with Brad Bookout in Delaware County as instrumental in their decision to advance their plans, expressing enthusiasm about joining an area with a strong presence of other Italian firms.

The MOUs with these Italian companies mark a significant step towards fostering economic growth and international partnerships within Delaware County.