GREENFIELD, IN, Jan. 23, 2008 -- Governor Mitch Daniels joined executives from water treatment technology developer Freije Treatment Systems Inc. today to announce the company's plans to expand its corporate headquarters and product development center here, creating more than 200 new jobs by 2010.
The developer and marketer of salt-free water conditioning systems for the residential, commercial and industrial markets will invest more than $2 million to locate its new corporate headquarters and product development center in 34,000 square feet of an existing facility in the Mount Comfort Industrial Park.
"Freije is a home-grown Indiana company and a prime example of a high-growth business that is investing in Indiana and creating jobs for hard-working Hoosiers," said Daniels.
Founded in 1986, Freije currently employs 12 associates in its Northeast Indianapolis offices and plans to begin hiring sales staff, managers and business professionals following the completion of relocation to Hancock County in March.
"Given the overwhelming response and acceptance to our new Easy Water Systems from both consumers and plumbing professionals and the continued growth of our commercial and industrial business, Freije Treatment Systems has outgrown its current Indianapolis headquarters and is moving to the Mount Comfort area of Hancock County," said Bill Freije, chief executive officer of Freije Treatment Systems Inc. "We are pleased to remain in Indiana and stay a part of the greater Indianapolis area. Our new facility will provide us an excellent platform to continue research and development on new products and expand our existing business segments."
Freije's water conditioning systems replace the multi-tank, chemical-based systems traditionally found in residential and industrial water softening applications with an electronic device no bigger than a cookbook. The device, which requires no plumbing, chemicals or filters, is installed where the main water line enters a facility and induces an electric current into a facility's in-coming water causing lime and other scale-forming minerals to lose their electrical charge. With no electric charge, the minerals flow free with the water and do not adhere to piping, water heaters, faucets or other surfaces.
"Freije is a company on the leading-edge of technology who will bring new jobs and new opportunities to Hancock County and Central Indiana," said Bill Bolander, president of the Hancock County Council.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Freije Treatment Systems Inc. up to $1.2 million in performance-based tax credits and up to $60,000 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans. The Hancock County Council with the assistance of the Hancock County Economic Development Corporation will offer the company property tax abatement.
The expansion of Freije's corporate headquarters and product development center comes as governments across the nation take steps to limit pollution and excess water usage of traditional salt-based water conditioners. Texas, California, Michigan, Massachusetts and Connecticut have taken steps to ban traditional salt-based water softeners in an attempt to reduce salt discharge levels from wastewater treatment plants that end up in lakes, rivers, streams and aquifers.
Located in Indianapolis, Freije Treatments Systems Inc. conducts business throughout the United States and Canada. The company develops high-tech, no salt, chemical-free water treatment equipment for residential, commercial and industrial clients.
Established under Governor Mitch Daniels in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Daniels. Indiana Secretary of Commerce Nathan Feltman serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC.
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