Little Raymond’s Print Shop, Inc., d/b/a ooShirts, a T-shirt printing and fulfillment company, announced plans today to locate a new facility here, creating up to 105 new jobs by 2016.
The Berkeley, Calif.-headquarted company, which is a subsidiary of ooShirts, Inc., will invest $1.2 million to equip a 26,000 square-foot facility located at 7800 Records Street in Lawrence. The facility, which began operations in September, is expanding the company’s screen printing and digital printing capacity.
“When compared to other states, Indiana shines as the perfect place to locate operations or expand your business,” said Governor Mike Pence. “With our fiscal responsibility, entrepreneurial companies like ooShirts can plan their activities with confidence in the Hoosier State, allowing them to mitigate the concerns of unpredictable economic conditions. Because of Indiana’s pro-growth market, we’re solidifying our position as a state that works for business.”
ooShirts, which currently employs more than 100 full-time associates in California and Pennsylvania, has already begun hiring screen printers and direct garment press operators. Interested applicants can apply by sending their resumes to jobs@ooshirts.com.
“Fast delivery and consistent product quality are the pillars of our business,” said Raymond Lei, president of ooShirts. “Our facility in Indianapolis will significantly expand our 2-day ship range while giving us access to an experienced manufacturing-driven workforce.”
Founded in 2007, ooShirts is a national, low-cost T-shirt printing company. Started as a high school business, the company has tripled its sales annually since 2010. Through its website, ooShirts.com, users can design shirts and place both high-volume and single-run orders. ooShirts also provides blind fulfillment services to other retailers. When its Indianapolis facility reaches full production by the end of the year, it will operate more than 25 automatic and manual presses.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Little Raymond’s Print Shop, Inc. up to $450,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $90,000 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. The cities of Lawrence and Indianapolis approved additional tax abatement at the request of the Office of Mayor Dean Jessup and Develop Indy, a business unit of the Indy Chamber.
“The city of Lawrence is excited about 105 new jobs coming to our city and the opportunities for our residents and businesses they will provide,” said Lawrence Mayor Dean Jessup. “The Lawrence Industrial Complex at I-465 and Pendleton Pike will be an excellent fit for ooShirts.”
Indiana’s business friendly climate continues to stand out among the crowd. The Hoosier State maintains a triple-A credit rating from all three credit rating agencies, the highest possible rating. Combined with Indiana’s lack of state inventory or inheritance taxes, companies like ooShirts are learning they can do more with their earnings in Indiana.
(Source: Indiana Economic Development Corporation news release)