Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb declared this week Small Business Week. The declaration recognizes the more than 534,000 small business in the state supporting over 1.2 million jobs.
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC) recognized eight Indiana small businesses that have worked with the Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to start, grow or pivot their small businesses.
Among the eight is Sellersburg, Indiana’s Owings Patterns. The company was named the Family-Owned Small Business of the Year.
Founded in 1975, Owings Patterns has grown from a pattern maker for the foundry industry into a diversified company engineering prototype and production tooling for foundry patterns and thermoforming applications. The business is in its second-generation of family ownership with the third generation joining the business.
“Indiana’s economic momentum is incredibly robust today, thanks in large part to the commitment, the work ethic and the spirit of our entrepreneurial community,” Holcomb said. “Across the state, Hoosier entrepreneurs and small businesses are creating new solutions, providing critical services, and contributing to the vibrancy and prosperity of their neighborhoods. This week, we honor and celebrate these achievements as we continue to invest in Indiana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem like never before.”
Among the industries Owings Patterns serves are the RV and boat/marine industries. Owings Patterns sells thermoformed dash bezels, shower and bath fixtures, and numerous other interior and exterior parts for manufacturers.
Owings Patterns said the company works with design engineers to perfect a CAD drawing of the thermoformed part desired. Once a mold is created from the drawing, the company begins production.
Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Rosenberg said, “Indiana’s entrepreneurs are setting the tone for today’s success and for tomorrow’s progress. Not only do Hoosier entrepreneurs and small businesses contribute to the success of Indiana’s economy, but they have a direct impact on the prosperity of their communities, with each successful new company increasing the nearby median household income. At the state level, we are reinvesting in this network to provide new resources, new funding and new programming to help Hoosier entrepreneurs start stronger and scale faster.”
