November 30, 2023    

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Gov. Whitmer Announces 138 New Jobs Coming to West Michigan 

P&THE Manufacturing expanding in Spring Lake, creating 107 jobs 

Walinga USA constructing new facility in Wayland, creating 31 jobs 

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced two business expansion projects expected to create a total of 138 new jobs and generate a total capital investment of nearly $11 million have received support from the Michigan Strategic Fund. The projects are in Spring Lake Township and Wayland. 

“Today’s investments will create 138 good-paying jobs and invest nearly $11 million into Spring Lake and Wayland, building on Michigan’s economic momentum,” said Governor Whitmer. “Our economic development efforts have helped us bring thousands of good-paying, middle-class manufacturing jobs home and created in-demand, high-skill opportunities for Michiganders in every region of our state. I am grateful to P&THE Manufacturing and Walinga USA for choosing to expand and invest here in Michigan. Let’s keep working together so every family, community, and business can ‘make it’ in Michigan.”  

“The decisions by these companies to expand in Michigan highlight the strength of our advanced manufacturing and agribusiness industries, and further demonstrate Team Michigan’s commitment to delivering long-term economic growth for all Michiganders,” said MEDC Sr. Vice President of Regional Prosperity Matt McCauley. “These projects are wins for the entire state. We are grateful to the Governor, legislators of both parties and local officials for their continued support of our efforts. These investments reflect our commitment to ensuring that Michigan becomes an even better place for each of our 10 million-plus friends and neighbors to live, work, visit, play, and create futures. We will continue working to earn investments and support our people as we encourage businesses of all sizes to make it in Michigan.” 

P&THE Manufacturing Adding 107 Jobs in Spring Lake, Investing $2.6 Million 

P&THE Manufacturing Michigan, LLC is a subsidiary of P&THE Holding, a Canton Township-based holding company that consists of businesses providing high-performing manufacturing solutions. The company invests in industrial firms that can benefit from a hands-on operational experience that includes organizational leadership and expertise and a superior customer experience. 

P&THE plans to acquire Spring Lake Township-based Turbo Components, Inc. (TCI), a West Michigan aluminum casting and machining manufacturer that produced engine components for a large Auburn Hills auto supplier. TCI filed for bankruptcy in April 2023 and currently has no employees. As part of the acquisition, the supplier has agreed to continue working with the business once it is acquired and reformed. P&THE plans to increase its capacity by adding work from existing customers such as Detroit Diesel, Power-Packer, and Rolls Royce. 

The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $2.6 million and create 107 jobs with the support of a $428,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen for the expansion over the company’s existing facility in Ohio. 

The project will bring immediate mobility and automotive manufacturing jobs to a rural community and will restore operations of a former bankrupt company while increasing compensation and utilizing local supply networks. P&THE plans to offer an increase in wages from what was provided by TCI in an effort to attract and retain talent. 

 “We are fortunate to have an opportunity to work with P&THE Manufacturing Michigan, LLC as a new investor in Spring Lake Township,” said Chamber of Commerce Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg Director of Economic Development Strategic Directions Elizabeth Butler. “The capital investment represents a growth in the local tax base and the opportunity to add new jobs.  We are pleased that P&THE Manufacturing Michigan, LLC has selected NW Ottawa County over their existing facilities in Ohio.”    

The Chamber of Commerce will be working with the company on an Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption application for the two locations in Spring Lake Township. The investment into the community and the jobs that will be created in Spring Lake Township will add to the economic vitality of the region.   

Spring Lake Township has offered a 50-percent property tax abatement in support of the project. Information on careers with P&THE can be found at https://www.tcial.net/. 

Walinga USA Creating 31 Jobs in Wayland, Further Boosting Michigan’s Agricultural Leadership  

Walinga USA Inc. is a subsidiary of Walinga Inc., headquartered in Ontario and established in 1954. Walinga USA was created in 1983 in Wayland to service customers in the U.S. The company makes pneumatic transportation systems and feed trailers for the livestock and agriculture industry. Walinga currently employs 53 Michiganders. 

The company is experiencing increasing demand and plans to expand at its current operations in Wayland, where it will purchase an adjacent parcel and construct a new facility as well as make renovations to its existing facility. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $8.3 million and create 31 jobs with the support of a $168,000 Micro Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen for the expansion over competing sites in Indiana, Iowa and North Carolina because of the company’s longstanding presence in the state and Michigan’s skilled workforce. 

“Walinga USA is looking forward to working with the MEDC on our expansion plans,” said Walinga USA General Manager Corry Dekker. “Walinga has been rewarded by our customers with their continued confidence that allows us to double our present production output through the expansion effort. We appreciate the opportunity to do this in West Michigan, and we appreciate the work ethic of the community.” 

The project will further boost Michigan’s agribusiness industry and bring immediate good jobs to the area and will solidify the company’s presence and future business in the state. 

The municipality has offered a 50-percent property tax abatement in support of the project. Information about careers with Walinga can be found here. 

“Leighton Township is thrilled to see Walinga grow and continue to invest in this community,” said Leighton Twp. Supervisor Steve Wolbrink. “The company’s commitment to their employees’ success is admirable and their innovative business solutions offer exciting career opportunities for residents.” 

The Micro Michigan Business Development Program is designed to promote business growth, especially in rural areas or areas with high unemployment as well as target industries. The MMBDP provides grants, loans or other economic assistance to businesses for highly competitive projects in Michigan that have fewer job creation numbers than required by the original MBDP guidelines. 

“Lakeshore Advantage is thrilled to see Walinga USA lean into its growing North American market-share and honored to play a part in helping the company expand in West Michigan’s lakeshore region,” said Jennifer Owens, president of Lakeshore Advantage. “Walinga’s expansion is an example of this region’s growing food manufacturing cluster. Their manufactured transportation and conveying solutions are crucial to agribusinesses across the US Midwest and beyond.” 

Walinga’s commitment further builds on the state’s ongoing support of its robust agribusiness industry, including support for a new dairy processing facility in the village of Constantine that will reduce the carbon footprint of dairy byproduct and bring new jobs and infrastructure to the community. The Dairy Distillery project, a joint venture by Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) and Dairy Distillery USA., is expected to generate a total capital investment of $41.1 million and create 12 well-paying jobs. 

In March, flavor solutions provider FlavorSum announced it was expanding in Kalamazoo, a project that is expected to generate a total capital investment of $10 million and create 51 jobs with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund. In addition, in 2022, Greece-based snack food manufacturer SnackCraft announced it was establishing its U.S. headquarters in the city of Kentwood with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $41.75 million and create 185 jobs, supported by a $1 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. The company celebrated its grand opening in January of this year. 

“Michigan’s robust food and agriculture sector is poised for long-term growth supporting and creating good-paying jobs throughout the state. Today’s Walinga USA announcement is a shining example of the important role our rural communities play in Michigan’s economic future,” said Tim Boring, director, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. “I am excited to have Walinga USA call Michigan home and am 100 percent in favor of making easier for our state farmers to buy from Michigan companies.”   

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