September 9, 2026 · Bartholomew · Ripley · Allen · Vanderburgh
PMG Indiana Columbus Closure: 150 Jobs Gone by Dec. 31, Plus GovParts and MelKay Risk for Indiana Plant Leaders
PMG Indiana closes its Columbus powder-metal plant December 31-150 jobs gone, plus PE acquisition of MelKay and federal risk at GovParts. What Indiana plant…
PMG Indiana Corp. is permanently closing its Columbus powder-metal plant by December 31, 2026, eliminating all 150 remaining jobs, and the competitive mechanism behind that decision is a direct warning for every ICE Tier-2 supplier still operating in Indiana. Today's brief also covers a defense manufacturer in Fort Wayne betting $3.4 million on federal contracting policy holding steady, and an Apollo-backed platform absorbing one of Southwest Indiana's largest union MEP contractors. Three announcements. Three distinct categories of supplier and vendor risk. Here's what you need to act on today.
01Bartholomew
PMG Indiana Columbus Closure: What Killed 150 Jobs by December 31?
PMG Indiana Corp. (a subsidiary of Füssen, Germany-based PMG Holding GmbH) filed a WARN notice with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development on September 2, 2026, confirming the permanent closure of its 186,000-square-foot powder-metal plant at 1751 Arcadia Drive in Columbus, Bartholomew County.
02Allen
GovParts Fort Wayne $3.4M Expansion: What the Press Release Doesn't Say
GovParts LLC, a woman-owned defense contract manufacturer founded in Fort Wayne in 2017, is investing more than $3.4 million to renovate a 55,000-square-foot facility near Fort Wayne International Airport in Allen County, nearly five times its current footprint. Move-in is targeted for Q1 2027, with up to 20 new jobs by end of 2029 at wages roughly 20% above the Allen County average.
03Vanderburgh
Apollo Acquires MelKay Evansville: What PE Ownership Means for Your MEP Contracts
The State Group Industrial (owned by funds managed by Apollo) announced on September 8 the acquisition of Mel-Kay Electric Co., headquartered at 1511 North Garvin Street in Evansville, Vanderburgh County. MelKay brings over 400 union tradesmen operating across southern Indiana, western Kentucky, and southern Illinois, with preferred-vendor relationships at Berry Global, Deaconess Health, Sabic, and Toyota.
Questions for Your Morning Huddle
Q: PMG Indiana is closing, do I need to worry if I'm not a direct customer?
A: Yes, if you have any European-headquartered Tier-2 ICE or powder-metal suppliers in your chain, this closure is a leading indicator of where European parent capital allocation is heading. Document every single-source exposure in that category now, before their customers force the issue.
Q: MelKay is still operating under the same name, why do I need to revisit my contract?
A: The name is the same; the ownership structure and margin targets are not. Apollo-backed platforms typically standardize labor rates and reduce legacy-customer discounting as part of EBITDA expansion. Pull your MSA and check the escalation and re-bid clauses before your next renewal window opens.
Q: How do I assess GovParts' risk if they're a subcontractor and not a direct vendor?
A: Ask your GovParts contact directly for their FY26 award pace versus FY25, and whether any active WOSB or HUBZone certifications are under review. If award pace is slowing and they are mid-renovation through Q1 2027, your delivery timelines need a contingency scenario.
For context on how Indiana utility rate decisions are stacking additional cost pressure on top of supplier and vendor risk this quarter, see AES Indiana Rate Deadline September 5: What Indiana Manufacturers Need to Model Before the IURC Vote and Indiana Utility Rate Changes 2026: Five Developments Hitting Manufacturer Cost Exposure Now.
This brief
More from Bartholomew County
Manufacturers Energy Grant Program
Free for Indiana manufacturers
Manufacturers from qualifying Indiana counties receive free, ongoing energy auditing and cost control that reduces their energy bills and keeps them low, month after month. Every line item checked and validated, every opportunity found comes with a step-by-step guide to capture it.
EDCs: sponsor this program and it carries your organization's name For economic developers →