Chinese company plans to build plant in Indiana

A Chinese company based in China's Shangdong province plans to build a factory in Lafayette, creating up to 150 new jobs by 2013.

Gov. Mitch Daniels and executives of Nanshan America Co. announced the project Wednesday at Purdue University in West Lafayette.

The company that makes aluminum components for the auto industry and other businesses plans to invest up to $98.5 million to build a 420,000 square-foot plant and a 15,000 square-foot office building. The Indiana Economic Development Corp. says the project is a result of an economic trip Daniels made to Asia in November.

Construction is expected to begin this spring with the plant becoming operational in 15 months. Hiring is expected to start this fall.