SHELBYVILLE, Ind. — Krone North

America, a manufacturer of hay and forage

equipment, has canceled plans to move its

headquarters from Memphis, Tenn., to

Shelbyville, according to an official with

the Shelby County Development Corp.

 

In March 2016, the company announced

it would invest $12.5 billion

to build a 200,000 square-foot facility

at Highway 44 and Interstate 74. The

Indiana site would have served as the

company’s primary distribution hub

and training center in North America.

Plans also included showroom and office

space; up to 101 new high-paying jobs 

were expected by 2021.

Krone originally hoped to break ground

in March 2017 but the project was pushed

back to March 2018, said Brian Asher,

executive director of the development corporation.

Company president and CEO

Tommy Jones told Asher of Krone’s decision

to cancel the move in late July.

Asher said Jones explained the decision

was strictly a business move and

not a problem with the site or the area.

Jones cited factors such as a quarter

that didn’t meet the company’s hopes

and uncertainty over a possible border

adjustment tax, Asher said.

Jones was also concerned about potential

changes to farm subsidies, such

as crop insurance. “We were disappointed

but also understand the economic

landscape is ever-changing,” Asher said.

“(Jones) was disappointed as well.”

An attempt by Farm World to reach

Krone officials for comment by press

time was unsuccessful. 

 

When Krone announced plans to relocate

its headquarters to Shelbyville last

year, Jones said the company was excited

to become part of the community.

“In our search we were very impressed

with the commitment and teamwork of

the community and the state in helping

us make this decision,” he said. “The

culture of Krone aligns very well with

that of Shelbyville. We believe this transition

is important to our growth strategy

for North America.”

Asher said the site Krone would have occupied

is “more than shovel-ready.” A road

has been constructed leading into the site,

a sewer is in place and soil testing has been

done. “We think this will attract somebody

sooner rather than later,” he added. “Krone

picked this site for a reason.