Stens Corp., a global supplier of replacement parts for the power equipment industry, announced it has reached an agreement to occupy a new facility in Jasper, Ind.

This announcement comes in the wake of a prior deal to purchase and renovate a facility on Jasper’s south side late last year fell through.  The new location is a 157,000 square-foot building at 1919 Hospitality Drive, on Jasper’s south side.  Stens, a division of Ariens Company, plans to invest a significant amount in renovations to position the building to become the company’s headquarters and global distribution center. Operations are expected to be running out of this location by January 2013.

“We are committed to the community of Jasper,” said Peter Ariens, Stens Corp. president.  “It was just a matter of finding the facility that would allow us to maximize our investments, make our employees happy, and ultimately help us continue to grow.”  The company has plans to re-engage in the tax abatement approval process from the city and state with its new proposal.  “Our future still includes expansion into and renovation of a currently vacant facility and the creation of many new jobs,” stated Ariens, “the key difference is that our actual physical location has changed.” 

“We are delighted to have the Ariens family and Stens continue to call Jasper their home.  Repurposing an existing building for the growth of an existing business is representative of local economic development at its finest” commented Jasper Mayor Terry Seitz.

“Stens is a business that was started locally by an entrepreneurial family in one room over 40 years ago and has grown into a global business.  The most rewarding economic development project is one in which a homegrown, existing businesses expands. Dubois Strong and our board of directors and investors are proud that Stens’ roots will only grow deeper in Dubois County as a result of this major expansion,” imparted Jim Dinkle, President and CEO of Dubois County Strong.