Dorel Juvenile to Open a New Center in Indiana

Dorel Juvenile Group (DJG) announced today it plans to build a Design and Development Competency Center in Columbus, Indiana, as part of its car seat product capital investment program which involves a total investment of US$20.8 million through 2013.  DJG will spend $3.6 million and will add 39 jobs at its Columbus facility with a total of 98 jobs being created over the next four years.

"The development of this world class technology center with specialized research and design facilities will further Dorel's leadership position as the largest manufacturer of car seats globally and will drive ongoing technical advancements and innovations for child passenger safety," Dorel President and CEO, Martin Schwartz, said in a release.

Last year, DJG launched a new car seat safety technology dubbed Air Protect, designed to protect children in side impact collision, based on a layer of air protection around the child’s head.

"We take great pride in the continued innovation and advancements our team has made in the car seat industry, most recently with the launch of the ground-breaking Air Protect Side Impact Technology," said Dave Taylor, President of Dorel Juvenile Group US.  "The new Design and Development Competency Center will enable us to bring additional leading car seat technologies to more families on the road today."

"Dorel's decision to expand its development and testing operations here is an incredible vote of confidence in the Indiana economy and the work force of Columbus," said Governor Mitch Daniels.  "We appreciate their continued investment in this region and look forward to the new opportunities they will bring Indiana workers."