Manufacturer expanding facility

Manufacturer expanding facility

A powder coating worker at DeWys Manufacturing. Courtesy Lakeshore Advantage

A manufacturer is investing $6.9 million to expand a facility in the area.

DeWys Manufacturing, a “complete metal solutions company” for multiple industries, has begun a 30,000-square-foot expansion of its existing 90,000-square-foot facility in Wright Township, at 15300 8th Ave., according to Lakeshore advantage yesterday.

The company also expects to add 41 jobs.

DeWys chose the Michigan location over a site in Memphis, Tennessee.

Lakeshore Advantage, a Zeeland-based economic development nonprofit, connected DeWys with local and state resources to support the project and helped navigate state and local permit approvals and site expansion options.

“The earlier a company reaches out, the better we can help problem solve, make connections and streamline the expansion process,” said Jennifer Owens, president, Lakeshore Advantage.

One of those solutions involved the use of adjacent land for a retention pond needed to support the expansion. The proposed retention pond location is owned by Consumers Energy and requires Michigan Department of Environmental Quality approval for the use. Consumers Energy and DeWys Manufacturing worked together on engineering needs and a lease for the property.

MEDC awarded the company a $267,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant for the project.

Wright Township is expected to approve a tax abatement for the expansion in the months ahead.

People can apply for open positions online.

DeWys

DeWys Manufacturing focuses on precision sheet metal fabrication, powder coating, product assembly and contract manufacturing.

It serves a wide range of industries, including office furniture, power generation, life sciences and medical equipment.

The company has 210 employees at one location.