The Right Place provides aid after Benteler Automotive’s shutdown

The planned closing of Benteler Automotive’s Hall Street plant in Grand Rapids has The Right Place Inc. springing into action.

The plant at 320 Hall St. SW, Grand Rapids, which will reportedly operate through the remainder of the calendar year while equipment is transitioned out, employs about 220 people. The Right Place announced it will assemble a response team that will provide Benteler employees with services and support. The team also will begin marketing for the location to find another buyer.

The move is part of Right Place’s efforts to stabilize employment and foster economic development in Michigan, officials said.

“Facility and company closures rarely happen in West Michigan, but when they do, we now have a cross-functional team to support both the company and its employees,” said Birgit Klohs, Right Place president and CEO. “It is especially important in this case, as Benteler still has three other successful locations in West Michigan that must be served.”

The team was formed last weekend and met officially with Benteler representatives on June 17 to present its plan and obtain details of Benteler’s phase-out agenda. For the next month, the team will focus its efforts on the “real estate aspect” by evaluating future possibilities for the Hall Street location.

“Benteler Automotive is pleased to be working closely with local resources at The Right Place and the city of Grand Rapids to complete closure of its facility on Hall Street over the next seven to eight months,” said Maryam Komejan, of Benteler NAO Communications. “We believe that our mutual collaboration will minimize the impact of this decision on the Grand Rapids community while supporting growth in West Michigan where Benteler maintains three other manufacturing facilities.”