MERRILLVILLE| An industrial waste management services company will create up to 55 new jobs in Northwest Indiana after expanding its operations in East Chicago and moving its headquarters from Illinois to Merrillville.
Tradebe Environmental Services, a subsidiary of a Barcelona, Spain-based company, will invest an estimated $150,000 to move its U.S. headquarters to the former Post-Tribune newsroom at 1433 E. 83rd Ave. in Merrillville. The company has already pumped about $16 million to expand a facility at 4343 Kennedy Avenue in East Chicago, where it treats, stores and disposes of hazardous industrial waste.
"We are proud that Tradebe continues to prosper in East Chicago," said East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland. "It's imperative to support our existing businesses in expanding their operations as they are integral in growing our economy through jobs and investment. This is an exciting time for our community."
The business recycles more than 36,000 tons of industrial waste every year, turning most of it into usable products and fuels. Tradebe produces more than 2.7 million gallons of reusable solvents and 7,000 tons of recycled scrap metal every year.
Industrial companies continue to cross the state line to Indiana, where taxes and workman's compensation expenses are lower. Earlier this month, Hoist Liftruck announced it would relocate its manufacturing operations to East Chicago, where it plans to employ 550 by 2022.
Tradebe will add 25 jobs in East Chicago after building a one-of-a-kind Solids Distillation System that recycles organic solid waste.
"With the recent construction and commissioning of our second SDS unit, we have searched for the ideal location where we could combine our headquarters staff with the majority of our staff currently located in East Chicago," said Victor Creixell, chief executive officer of TRADEBE USA. "Relocating our headquarters gives us the opportunity to bring much of our Midwest office staff together in one location to promote efficiencies within the organization with our new headquarters just 20 miles from the East Chicago facility."
The company's U.S. headquarters had been based in Oakbrook about 50 miles from its new home in Merrillville Tradebe plans to add up to 30 jobs in a business park by the Southlake Mall, where it will employ high-wage professional staff like accountants and administrators to oversee the company's 17 treatment facilities across the United States.
"We know relocating a U.S. headquarters is a serious decision," said Merrillville Town Councilman Shawn Pettit. "The town of Merrillville is pleased an international company like Tradebe selected our community, recognizing they can flourish in an ideal location and business-friendly environment."
Indiana offered the company up to $600,000 in tax breaks.