ICON Exhibits LLC, d/b/a Group Delphi, a designer and producer of exhibits for events, tradeshows, museums and retail marketplaces, announced plans today to expand its operations here, creating up to 99 new jobs by 2017.

Group Delphi will invest more than $4 million to lease and equip a new 200,000 square-foot facility at Zubrick and Silverado Roads in Allen County. The facility, which is expected to be operational by late 2014, will allow the company to continue to grow and attract new clients to its roster of global clients.

“Indiana companies like Group Delphi are sparking Hoosier ideas for interactive storytelling, reaching consumers around the world,” said Governor Mike Pence. “Just like Group Delphi stages exhibits to create the best possible environment for their clients, over the years we’ve staged Indiana with the optimum conditions to build a business, making this truly a state that works.”

Group Delphi, which currently employs more than 30 full-time Indiana associates, plans to begin hiring for production and warehousing positions in November 2014, with additional project management, engineering, estimating and account management positions to be added later with the expansion. Interested applicants may apply by emailing resumes to [email protected].

“Over the last four years we have grown in our commitment to and enthusiasm for Indiana, and Fort Wayne in particular,” said Justin Hersh, chief executive officer and founder of Group Delphi. “Indiana is a great place to do business with a highly skilled and motivated workforce. The business climate in Indiana led us to the conclusion that this was the right place to expand.”

Group Delphi’s Indiana roots date back to 1946 when the company was started as Customcraft. In 1979, under the leadership of Michael Parrott, the company began building a global reputation for creating high quality and creative exhibits for clients throughout the United States and around the world. In the last three years, Group Delphi, which is currently based in Alameda, Calif., has seen rapid growth in projects for museums, with projects completed for clients including the Perot Museum in Dallas, The Pacific Science Center in Seattle and the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered ICON Exhibits LLC up to $830,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $80,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. Allen County approved additional incentives at the request of Greater Fort Wayne Inc.

“As a county, we’re proud to offer businesses like Group Delphi the workforce and environment they need for business growth,” said Allen County Commissioner Nelson Peters. “We’re pleased that Group Delphi has chosen to expand their current operations in Allen County and are excited for the impact they will continue to have on our community”

Group Delphi is the eighth company this year to announce plans to expand in Allen County. Companies including Aptera Software, Shambaugh & Son and Ash Brokerage project to create more than a combined 690 jobs and invest more than $68 million in the county in the coming years.

Source: Indiana Economic Development Corp., Inside INdiana Business