Plymouth Foundry honored at Indiana Statehouse as Half Century Business award recipient

A Plymouth manufacturer with deep roots in Marshall County was recognized at the Indiana Statehouse on Monday as Governor Mike Braun welcomed representatives of Indiana's entrepreneurial and business community to award the Governor's Century and Half Century Business Awards to 34 Hoosier businesses that have supported the state's economy and communities for more than 100 and 50 years, respectively.

This year's local Half Century Award recipient was Plymouth Foundry Inc., a family-owned gray iron and ductile iron foundry that has been operating from the same location in Plymouth since 1946. For 80 years, the foundry has been a cornerstone of Plymouth's industrial community, providing casting and machining services to customers throughout the Midwest and across the country.

Plymouth Foundry serves a diverse range of essential industries, including agriculture, commercial vehicles, construction, mining, industrial machinery equipment, rail, and food industries. The company's longevity and continued operation from its original Plymouth location stand as a testament to the enduring strength of family-owned manufacturing in northern Indiana and the critical role that local foundries play in supplying the industries that drive the American economy.

The Half Century Business Award recognizes Plymouth Foundry's 50-plus years of continuous operation and its demonstrated commitment to community service — a recognition that places the company among an elite group of Indiana businesses that have stood the test of time while continuing to adapt, grow, and serve their communities.

Several other regional businesses were also honored at Monday's ceremony. In Fulton County, Perkins and Adley was recognized as a Half Century Business. The law firm was established by Robert E. Peterson in Rochester in 1965 and has evolved through several partnerships over the decades to become what is now known as Perkins and Adley. The firm has been committed to providing leadership within its community and dedicated service to its clients throughout the region for more than six decades, delivering legal services to individuals, families, and businesses alike.

In Kosciusko County, Hoffman Lake Campground was honored as a Half Century Business. The fourth-generation, family-owned business has been providing families with memorable camping experiences near Warsaw for more than 60 years. The 36-acre property is nestled beside a filling lake and surrounded by farmland, offering a variety of camping options from traditional tent sites to RV hookups and cozy cabins. The small, family-owned-and-operated mentality is still present at Hoffman Lake Campground, continuing the vision that Bill and Bev Long had to create a community where families could come together, enjoy the great outdoors, and make memories that would last a lifetime.

The only 2026 Century Award area honoree was The Smith Sawyer Smith Agency in Fulton County. The dedicated independent insurance agency has been family-owned and client-centered since it opened its doors in 1925. The Rochester-based company has become one of the most dynamic and growing full-service agencies in the Midwest, recently expanding to the West Coast and Northeast regions and licensed to do business in all 50 states.

The Governor's Century and Half Century Business Awards honor Hoosier businesses and organizations that have remained in operation for a minimum of 100 or 50 consecutive years, respectively, and have demonstrated a commitment to community service. More than 1,300 Indiana companies have been recognized during the award's 34-year history.

To learn more about the many resources available to Indiana entrepreneurs and small businesses, visit iedc.in.gov/entrepreneurship.