WYRZ.org 98.9 WYRZ – The Voice of Hendricks County
INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 16, 2015) – Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann joined iLAB, a worldwide provider of software quality assurance and performance testing products, today to announce the company’s plans to expand its North American headquarters here, creating up to 100 new jobs by 2019.
The Johannesburg, South Africa-based company will invest $1.49 million to lease and equip its new 4,000-square-foot office at the Chase Circle building in downtown Indianapolis. In July, the company moved into its new office, quadrupling its footprint with plans to locate 80 new jobs at the company’s North American headquarters. iLAB will also hire an additional 20 associates to be based around the state, serving clients in Fort Wayne, South Bend, Gary and Evansville.
“Business growth and development in the tech sector is one of the major reasons why we are experiencing record Hoosier employment numbers,” said Ellspermann. “I applaud iLAB for choosing to grow their business in a state that works. Today we celebrate Indiana’s international reputation as a great place for businesses to start, expand and prosper.”
The company, which currently employs more than 500 employees around the world, including more than 50 Hoosiers, has already begun hiring for software engineering, business development and support positions. iLAB’s new positions pay an average salary more than 60 percent higher than the state’s average wage. Interested applicants may apply at www.ilabquality.com/about-us/careers/.
“We’ve seen fantastic growth over the last five years, expanding our customer base through strategic partnerships with the world’s most respected names in technology,” said Gerry Bailey, managing director for iLAB in North America. “Indianapolis has served as an exceptional launch platform for our North American operations and a key factor in fueling our growth strategy across the globe by adding 100 more employees over the next five years.”
Founded in 1995, iLAB opened its offices on Indianapolis’ north side in 2011. Since then, the company has grown to support more than 800 clients, focused exclusively on software quality assurance. As part of its corporate mission, iLAB is dedicated to the preservation of endangered elephants and rhinos, along with assisting people living in rural African areas near the threatened species.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered iLAB, LLC up to $1,200,000 in conditional tax credits and up to $75,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. These incentives are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The city of Indianapolis supports the project at the request of Develop Indy, a business unit of the Indy Chamber.
“Indy’s tech sector is booming and this growth is due in large part to the quality and innovation of our workforce,” said Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard. “I’m very proud that we have become a magnet for top talent and I am delighted to welcome iLAB to the growing list of companies that are selecting Indy as the place to expand, invest and succeed.”
iLAB joins a growing list of global tech firms choosing to locate their headquarters in central Indiana, including Appirio, Emarsys, Rook Security and GyanSys. With their growth, more than 5,000 tech jobs have been created in central Indiana since 2009, growing an industry that pays an average salary of more than $72,000 annually in Indiana.
