Announcements

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To accommodate Stryker Corporation’s continuing growth, the company’s medical division formalized plans to expand its facility in the city of Portage by 253,000 square feet, choosing the region over competing sites in other states. The move comes with a $110 million investment and the creation of 260 high-paying jobs.

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Chem Link, offering high performance sealants and adhesives in Schoolcraft, received a state transportation economic development grant to improve access to its facility.

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XL Machine, a turnkey supplier of precision build-to-print components and assemblies, will expand its shipping area to accommodate increased product demand from Three Rivers.

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Mendon Seed Growers will establish a new location in Sturgis. The company received a $50,000 performance-based grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to create a full-service, turnkey seed production facility.

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Due to increased production volume, Banks Hardwoods, a valued supplier of hardwoods in White Pigeon, expanded its warehousing space by 30,000 square feet.

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American Axle & Manufacturing, a global leader in driveline, metal forming, powertrain and casting technologies for automotive, commercial and industrial markets will use a grant award from the Michigan Skilled Trades Training Fund to equip new employees with jobs skills at its Three Rivers location.

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Tenneco, a global manufacturing company that offers clean air and ride performance solutions to diversified markets including light vehicle, commercial truck, off-highway equipment and the aftermarket, is converting a site in Marshall to a dedicated service manufacturing center.

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All That Jazz, a custom embroidery company, announced the purchase of 360,000 square feet in the former Kirsch Building in Sturgis, where it will operate a warehousing and distribution operation.

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Prairie Farms Dairy invested in a state-of-the-art bottling plant in Battle Creek. The facility will be the farmer-owned cooperative’s only bottling plant producing ultra-high pasteurized milk products.

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SELECT Products Limited consolidated operations in a new facility in Oshtemo Township to accommodate light machining and assembly work, with the potential for future expansion, including an aluminum anodizing facility. The company manufactures commercial continuous geared aluminum door hinges for the architectural hardware industry.

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The Southwest Michigan Tooling Collaborative based in Kalamazoo pooled resources to obtain a collaborative application to Michigan’s Skilled Trades Training Fund for a grand award for on-the-job training on Cimatron software, EDM (electrical discharge machining) machines and welding.

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Lawson Aviation, specializing in the overhaul of Continental and Lycoming engines, purchased three acres in the city of Three Rivers Airport Industrial Park to build an addition to its growing business.

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Michigan Tool Works has completed its purchase of Luttmann Precision Mold in Sturgis, acquiring the building, equipment and 30 employees.

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The state of Michigan created the Skilled Trades Training Fund (STTF) program in 2014 to assist employers in training, developing and retaining their current and yet-to-be-hired employees. The program is delivered through collaboration between economic development, educational and Michigan Works! agencies. Here are just a few Southwest Michigan companies earning awards at the end of 2017:

• Abbott
• Armstrong International
• Forrest Company
• Getman Corporation
• Graphic Packaging International-Carton
• International Paper
• Isringhausen
• Keystone Solutions Group
• Mall City Mechanical
• National Flavors
• OptiMed Specialty Pharmacy
• Pfizer Global Manufacturing
• Schupan & Sons
• Sigma Machine
• Singh Automation
• Taplin Group
• Weber Specialties Company
• W-L Molding Company
• X-L Machine Company
• Zoetis

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Duncan Aviation is moving forward with its plans to lease a hangar at Battle Creek Airport to increase the capacity. The comprehensive aircraft service provider expects the $2.9 million expansion to create 50 new jobs over the next three years.

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West Michigan Flocking, a full-service manufacturer providing innovative decorative, custom and functional components through flocking and injection molding, is investing $4 million in its Covert operations.

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Envirolite’s flooring products are converted in Coldwater where the company is making a $1.9 million investment in a 54,000-square-foot expansion.

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Tri-Mation Industries, a tool and die company located in Mattawan, is investing in new equipment and a new building construction.

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Albemarle continues to invest at its South Haven facility where it specializes in the production of pharmaceutical intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients.

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With over 20 years of experience in the kitchen cabinet industry, Harvest Oak Manufacturing continues to expand its workforce in Bronson.

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LogiQuip Healthcare Storage Solutions is continuing the final assembly and distribution of healthcare storage solutions from its Galesburg location.

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M&M Core is investing $400,000 in its recycling services equipment and supplies operation in Bronson.

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Offering animal fiber processing for sheep, alpaca, llama and more fleece from fibers, Hoof-to-Hanger Fiber Mill landed in Bridgman’s downtown district offering an open view concept to promote visitor attraction.

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Armstrong International is investing in its Three Rivers location where it will create a new learning center, renovate an R&D lab and upgrade machinery to keep this fifth-generation family-owned company providing products that reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency for its customers all over the world.

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Monte Package Co. in Riverside/Hager Township is expanding its facility by 3,600 square feet. The company produces containers for the agriculture/food processing sector including wire-bound crates, wet service cartons, orchard bins and picking accessories.

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Aunt Millie’s Bakery is making a $1 million investment in its Kalamazoo bakery where it primarily produces Aunt Millie’s delicious Hearth Breads.

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Public utility provider, Consumers Energy, is investing $9 million in its Union City facility which will expand that facility by 27,000 square feet.

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Harloff Manufacturing in Paw Paw continues to grow its custom tooling, stamping, roll form and injection molded solutions.

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Committed to bringing consumers “the best tasting beans in glass,” Randall Beans in investing in Tekonsha where it has processed foods since 1876.

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Whirlpool Corporation is investing $25 million in an expansion and renovation of the company’s St. Joseph Tech Center. The multinational manufacturer and marketer of home appliances continues to expand in Southwest Michigan.

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Bowers Aluminum has finalized an agreement to acquire 27 acres in Battle Creek’s Fort Custer Industrial Park to build a new 68,850-square-foot facility.

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A building expansion by Newell Brands in Kalamazoo is expected to bring $8 million in new investment and 87 design jobs.

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Xcel Painting, LLC announced it will expand and bring 50 jobs to the village of White Pigeon. The company is a spin-off of Indiana-based Global Composites, a manufacturer of nose caps, rear caps and nose cones for the RV industry.

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Highly technical manufacturer, FEMA Corporation, is making a $2,250,000 investment at its Portage facility including a new 47,567-square-foot building and 14 new jobs.

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Clark Logic made investments in Sturgis and Three Rivers that will impact its logistics capabilities.

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Micro-Lam Technologies has outgrown its start-up roots and expanded into a new facility in Portage to support growth associated with its hybrid laser-diamond cutting tool system.

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Atlantic Packaging, a leading source of packaging equipment, materials, engineering and technical resources, acquired a site in Sturgis in anticipation of future expansion needs.

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Bell’s Brewery, Inc. will invest in capital improvements, equipment and sustainability projects throughout its regional facilities.

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ConcertoHealth is expanding into a new 14,500-square-foot facility in Oshtemo Township. The group specializes in primary care and supporting clinical services for complex, frail, elderly and dual-eligible patients through comprehensive telephonic and field-based care.

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Zoetis, Inc. announced a $64.5 million investment in its manufacturing facilities in Kalamazoo and Portage. The investment includes two new production lines and related operations to manufacture oral tablets and chewable medicines for companion animals.

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GT Independence, a back office customer care company, will expand into 5,000 square feet in the new Moso Village development in the Sturgis.

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Falcon Lakeside Manufacturing, a cast and machined products manufacturer, expanded into the villages of Stevensville and Eau Claire.

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Quality Precast, Inc. is building a new 25,000-square-foot production facility and corporate headquarters in Alamo Township.

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National Flavors, Inc., a local custom flavoring company, has broken ground on its new 30,000-square-foot facility in Oshtemo Township.

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Parker Hannifin – Pneumatic Division, a specialist in motion and motion and control technologies, made investment in its Richland site to accommodate for its office support staff.

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A manufacturer for the auto parts after-market, DMPE, Inc., grew in Stevensville.

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Custom corrugated packaging specialist Green Bay Packaging is undertaking an 107,000-square-foot expansion in Pavilion Township.

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Bell’s Brewery, Inc. is adding a pilot brewery and new specialty packaging line at its production facility in Comstock Township.