Shield Restraints adding manufacturing, 40 jobs in Elkhart with 300-ton presses

Shield Restraints makes seatbelts and belt buckles for cars, buses, trucks and construction equipment. The company has a warehouse, development, distribution and office facility at 22937 Gallatin Way in north Elkhart near the Indiana Toll Road.

The company will be adding nearly 43,000 square feet to the existing building to add manufacturing space, including several new 300-ton metal presses. The company received special permission from the Elkhart Planning Commission to install the presses on Monday, because the area in which the plant is located only allows presses of up to 50 tons.

Shield will be transferring the presses from China, creating about 40 jobs locally. The move will make the company more efficient, said Debra Hughes, a project civil engineer.