Monday, November 1, 2004 - MiBizWest

by Karen Gentry
MiBiz Network

ROOSEVELT PARK - Increased business from New Domestic automakers is fueling the need for a planned expansion of Michigan Spring & Stamping in Roosevelt Park near Muskegon.

Gerald Baker, president of Michigan Spring & Stamping, said his company has an increased amount of business in the pipeline for 2005, 2006 and 2007. As a result, the company will build a 25,000 square-foot addition and add 25 new jobs by spring 2005. The addition will increase manufacturing space by nearly 50 percent.

"We're putting on the largest addition in the history of the company," Baker told MI Biz. He said his company plans to break ground on the new addition this month.

"We are extremely pleased to be growing our business here in the Muskegon area," Baker said. "This has been our headquarters for more than 50 years, and many of our employees are now third-generation craftsmen with the company." He said sales of precision springs and stampings at the Muskegon area location have doubled in the past 10 years.

Michigan Spring currently employs 130 people at its Wickham Drive facility. The newly created positions will include stamping operators, tool & die makers, and workers with experience in four-slide.

Baker said Michigan Stamp's employees are ecstatic about the expansion. He commended workers for their skills and commitment and their high involvement in the college tuition refund program. Baker said a $150,000 training grant from the state of Michigan was put to good use.

"We have a well-trained workforce. They help keep us cost effective," Baker said.

Michigan Spring is seeking local and state tax abatements to defray some construction and equipment costs associated with the estimated $2.5 million projects.

"We're excited to see a quality business like Michigan Spring & Stamping expanding and creating new jobs in the Muskegon area," said Roosevelt Park Mayor Robert Young. "It's wonderful to see a manufacturing project like this move forward."

President of Muskegon Area First Jim Edmonson agreed, noting, "This expansion exemplifies that Muskegon manufacturing is on the rebound, including new investment and job creation. For every dollar paid to the new employees, $1.43 weaves its way through the local economy, benefiting the entire community."

Baker said 15 months ago his company set up a sales and engineering office in Novi, which has helped bring in more business.

Last year Michigan Spring shipped more than one-half billion springs and stampings, while partnering with its customers to launch more than 50 new products.

Michigan Spring & Stamping also has a small manufacturing facility in El Paso, Texas. The company will close a second small operation in Elyria, Ohio and shift production work to Muskegon.

Michigan Spring & Stamping is one of two primary divisions of Precision Products Group Inc, an Illinois-based company that also makes tube components for various applications.

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This article appeared in the November 1, 2004 issue of MiBiz, read by upper management executives in West and Southwest Michigan. Print subscriptions are free to qualified individuals who do business in West and Southwest Michigan. For further information about MiBiz Network, visit www.mibiz.com.