Vita Nonwovens, which produces fiber material used in automotive, filtration, medical and mattress applications, is adding a new high-capacity nonwoven production line, which will lead to 22 more jobs.

The new equipment will be installed in February at a cost of just under $7 million and is expected to be fully operational the latter half of 2008 at the facility at 9403 Avionics Drive in Fort Wayne's Airport Business Center, according to a written statement. The additional jobs will nearly double the company's workforce of 25.

“Vita Nonwovens is looking to expand its market and product potential, while at the same time taking advantage of our existing Fort Wayne facility to ease capacity constraints elsewhere in our system,” said Jason Johnson, vice president of operations for Vita Nonwovens. The company has been in production here since 2003.

At an upcoming meeting, City Council will consider a phase-in of property taxes on the new equipment. In addition to tax abatement, other incentives offered to the company include workforce development assistance for both prospective and current workers through the local WorkOne office.

Vita Nonwovens is part of the Vita Group, a private company owned by TPG since 2005. For more information, see www.thevitagroup.com.