After standing empty for several years, the former IFI building at 651 Conkey Street will have a new owner. Root Brothers Manufacturing and Supply Company is expanding their main operations to Hammond. The 88 year old company will centralize their National Distribution Center to the 86,000 square foot building. Root Brothers is a full line MRO supplier and services Government, Utility, Manufacturing, Telecommunication, Aviation, Railroad and Municipal sectors. The business was started, and remains under control, by the Root Family, now in its second and third generation. It is also a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business. Some of their well-known vendors include DeWalt Power Tools, Stanley Hardware, Echo Power Equipment and Masterlock.
Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. and the City of Hammond welcome the expansion of such a strong and well established company to Hammond. “Bringing new jobs to Hammond has always been one of my top priorities.” said the Mayor, “I know residents in Hammond and Lake County appreciate new opportunities for higher paying jobs.”
With their expansion to Hammond, Root Brothers will not only be increasing their workforce, but also will focus on hiring residents of Hammond as well. They have always taken pride in giving back to its community and will continue this worthy tradition by supporting Hammond organizations and events.
“We at Root Brothers are thankful for the opportunity that both the City of Hammond and the State of Indiana provided us when we first started our search to expand our operations,” said Aaron Root, vice president of sales and marketing for Root Brothers. “The opportunities and assistance provided were instrumental in choosing Hammond, Indiana for this expansion.”
The property at 649-51 Conkey not only was the former IFI building, but also recently housed the Planning and Development Department for the City of Hammond. Planning and Development moved into City Hall to make room for Root Brothers.
“Not only did we bring another company into Hammond, we also took an industrially zoned building that was not generating any taxes, and put it back on the tax rolls for Hammond”, said Phil Taillon, Executive Director of Planning and Development. “This project exemplifies true economic development”.