Kimball International to Invest in World-Class Equipment for Salem, Indiana Facility

The metal automation machinery and equipment, made by Salvagnini, is the most technologically advanced sheet metal manufacturing equipment available and will be the first of its kind in the United States. Adoption of the equipment will not only improve sustainability efforts, decreasing waste and improving material utilization, it will also create opportunities for employees of the Salem facility. 

“Kimball International is focused intently on building world-class operations capabilities in our communities,” said Greg Meunier, Executive Vice President of Global Operations. “I’m excited that we will be installing this exceptional equipment in our Salem facility over the next year. I believe it will propel us forward in our manufacturing capabilities and give our Salem employees more opportunity and expertise in this area.” 

The Salvagnini metal automation equipment can transform packs of sheet metal into a wide variety of products in a progressive production process, using proprietary punching, cutting, bending, and panel bending technology, all in a lean environment, and with no intervention by operators. This equipment update will improve safety, quality, capability, and reliability for the metal manufacturing process, and will occur over the next year. 

“We are incredibly proud of our long-standing presence here in Salem,” said Lonnie Nicholson, Chief Human Resources Officer for Kimball International. “Building a world-class metal operation like this one is an important investment that will benefit both our people at Kimball International and the Salem community.” 

 The new sheet metal manufacturing line (shown above) at the Kimball International facility in Salem will be the first of its kind in the United States.