HOPE — Indiana-based Studebaker Co. hasn’t made cars or trucks in more than 50 years, but there are still more than 350,000 of the vehicles in operation around the world.
On Thursday, it was announced that a business that supplies those classic vehicle owners with old stock or reproduction parts has chosen the town of Hope as its new shipping headquarters.
When fully operational, an average of about 50 packages per day will be shipped out of the Hope location, Hope Town Manager J.T. Doane said.
Studebaker International, which is in the process of moving into 111 Aiken St. on the town’s south side, already has two employees in Hope who are answering phone calls, co-owner Corey Lime said.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
While Lime said the business could eventually have as many as 13 workers, he said a number of the positions will be filled by current employees from the company’s former Greenfield location.
Although it isn’t expected to become a significant new employer for Hope, Studebaker International is expected to generate tourism dollars.
The Hope Town Square will likely become the site of several car shows or swap meets sponsored by Studebaker International in the years to come, Lime said.
Each event will generate 250 to 300 classic cars that will attract a substantial number of visitors and tourists to the northeast Bartholomew County town, Doane said.
Lime and his father, Jim Lime, who both live in Fairland, recently purchased Studebaker International from Ed Reynolds, who had operated the business out of Greenfield for several years.
Jim Lime had worked for Reynolds for nearly 18 years prior to the purchase.
When Studebaker staff member Susan Buck spoke during Thursday’s announcement, she cited the town’s well-kept appearance and the friendliness of the residents as reasons why Hope was chosen by her firm.
The building on Aiken Street was last used by the Bartholomew County Historical Society as the Hawcreek Heritage Center, which closed in June 2016. The property is owned by Hope for Prosperity LLC, operated by Ken Patton of Columbus. It is right behind the new Hope Fire Department.
Studebaker, which was based in South Bend, entered the automotive business in 1902. For several decades, one of Bartholomew County’s largest Studebaker dealerships was Scaggs Motors Co., located on the south side of the Hope Town Square along Washington Street.
However, Studebaker ceased car-making operations in 1966.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Studebaker International ” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
The following details regarding the move of Studebaker International to Hope were revealed Thursday.
- The company has 15,000 members of a Studebaker Club.
- The Studebaker Club is considered the largest single marquee hobby group in the world.
- Studebaker International is the largest supplier of new old-stock and reproduction automotive parts.
- The company currently mails out 10,000 catalogues worldwide.
Source: Town of Hope
[sc:pullout-text-end]
