Manufacturing Engineer Position Available in Kalamazoo, MI

Position is responsible for process improvement using engineering techniques to minimize costs. Requires: BS in engineering or equivalent, plus 3 years engineering background in stamping & welding; complete understanding of process variation, statistical analytis, FEA, DFMEA and PFMEA.

Mail cover letter, resume and salary requirements to:
Gazette
Box M417 Classified Department
401 S. Burdick Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Crossroads RV Will Step Up Production, Re-Opening Production Plant and Increasing Workforce

TOPEKA, IN—CrossRoads RV will step up production to keep pace with consumer demand by re-opening an additional production plant and increasing its workforce.

“Our dealers are reporting strong retail sales over the last several months and positive results from fall shows. Although the rest of the industry may be experiencing a seasonal slowdown, we’ve chosen not to participate,’ states Mark Lucas, President of CrossRoads RV.

Re-opening Plant #2 will enable the company to shorten lead times and provide faster delivery of its products. Plant #2 will be used to manufacture CrossRoads’ re-designed SlingShot travel trailers, Sunset Trail Ultra Light travel trailers and the newly introduced expandable floor plans. The company also plans to hire an additional 125 workers.

“Both dealers and retail customers are noticing and responding to the changes we’ve made across all product lines. We currently operate six production facilities totaling over 400,000 square feet of manufacturing space and we will be using it all as dealers prepare for what should be a great spring selling season,’ comments Nate Nickell, VP of Sales and Marketing.

CrossRoads RV produces a wide variety of travel trailers, fifth wheels, and park models and is currently one of only a handful of recreational vehicle manufacturers to increase market share throughout the year, as demand for CrossRoads’ products has remained strong throughout the economic recession.

Headquartered in Topeka, Indiana, CrossRoads products are distributed through dealers throughout the United States, Canada, France, Japan, and Australia. CrossRoads is a division of Thor Industries Inc. More information on the company and its products can be obtained online at http://www.crossroadsrv.com

Michigan Governor Granholm Announces Over 3,000 New Jobs for Michigan!

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has announced that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is helping five companies grow in Michigan and is backing three brown field redevelopment projects. Combined, the eight projects are expected to create 3,070 new jobs (1,453 direct and 1,617 indirect) and generate over $138 million in new investment in the state.

The projects span the upper and lower peninsulas and include a next-generation chemical company focused on manufacturing bio-based materials, a start-up healthcare manufacturing company, and brown field redevelopments that will transform abandoned and contaminated sites into new centers of economic growth and activity.

The Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) board approved state tax credits to win the following projects for Michigan over competing states and countries:

* Haworth Inc. : The designer and manufacturer of office workspace solutions plans to invest $15.6 million to consolidate its wood and wall product manufacturing from its facility in Calgary to its existing facilities in Holland and Big Rapids. The project will create 1,391 new jobs, including 649 directly by the company. The MEDC estimates increased economic activity created by the project will create an additional 742 indirect jobs. Based on the MEDC’s recommendation, the MEGA board today approved a state tax credit valued at $22.4 million over 13 years to help convince the company to locate in Michigan. The city of Big Rapids is considering abatement valued at $193,000 in support of the project. The city of Holland also is considering abatement valued at $900,000 in support of the project. http://www.haworth.com

* Draths Corporation: The next-generation chemical company that combines microbiological and chemical processes to produce chemical intermediates such as nylon precursors from bio-based materials plans to make a multi-million dollar investment to construct a headquarters housing a research facility and multiple pilots in Delhi Township. The project will create 642 new jobs, including 200 directly by the company. The MEDC estimates increased economic activity created by the project will create an additional 442 indirect jobs. Based on the MEDC’s recommendation, the MEGA board today approved a state tax credit valued at $5.2 million over 10 years to help convince the company to expand in Michigan over a competing site in Minnesota. Delhi Township is considering an abatement to support the project. http://drathscorporation.com/

* Mossberg Precision Diagnostics LLC :  The start-up healthcare manufacturing company plans to invest $1.5 million to develop new products at a facility in Kalamazoo. The project will create 110 total jobs, including 35 directly by the company. The MEDC estimates the increased economic activity created by the project will create an additional 75 indirect jobs. Based on the MEDC’s recommendation, the MEGA board today approved a state tax credit valued at $817,579 over 10 years to encourage the company to expand in Michigan over a competing site in Indiana. The city of Kalamazoo is considering abatement valued at $86,450 to support the project.

* Bradford White Corporation : The water-heater manufacturer founded in 1881 plans to invest $3.48 million to introduce two new product lines at its facility in Middleville. The project is expected to create 200 jobs, including 88 directly by the company. The MEDC estimates the increased economic activity created by the project will create an additional 112 indirect jobs. Based on the MEDC’s recommendation, the MEGA board today approved a state tax credit valued at $1 million over seven years to help convince the company to expand in Michigan over a competing site in another state. The village of Middleville is considering abatement in support of the project. http://www.bradfordwhite.com/homea.asp

* Wolverine World Wide Inc. : One of the world’s leading marketers of branded casual, active lifestyle, work, outdoor sport and uniform footwear and apparel plans to expand and move its operations in Arkansas to a facility in Big Rapids. The company will continue to invest in its Big Rapids facility to accommodate capacity expansion which is expected to create 532 jobs in the area, once completed. Of the total number of jobs created, 286 are planned to be added by the company over the next 3 years. The MEDC estimates the increased economic activity created by the project will create an additional 246 indirect jobs. Based on the MEDC’s recommendation, the MEGA board today approved a state tax credit valued at $2.5 million over seven years to help win the project for Michigan over the competing site in Arkansas. The city of Big Rapids is considering abatements to support the project. http://www.wolverineworldwide.com/default.asp

Also Charlevoix County, City of Cadillac and City of Marquette

Great Indiana Manufacturing Industry News!!

Carbon Motors Picks Connersville,IN for New $350 million Police Car Manufacturing Plant
http://www.mfrtech.com/articles/2356.html

German-based Alternative Energy Equipment Make to Open US HQ in Yorktown, IN
http://www.mfrtech.com/articles/2184.html

Plastic Bottle Manufacturer Madras to Invest Nearly $6 million Expanding in Argos, IN
http://www.mfrtech.com/articles/2305.html

Auto Parts Manufacturer UGN to Expand in Valparaiso, IN
http://www.mfrtech.com/articles/2299.html

Johnson Controls Gearing Up for Second Phase of a $4.2 million Upgrade in Fort Wayne, IN
http://www.mfrtech.com/articles/2360.html

Diesel Emission Control Products Maker to Locate New HQ and Manufacturing Plant in Anderson, IN
http://www.mfrtech.com/articles/2358.html

Door Manufacturer VT Industries to Expand Production in New Albany, IN
http://www.mfrtech.com/articles/2348.html

Fleetwood Completes Sale of Its RV Manufacturing Business; New Owner to Locate HQ in Indiana

RV and manufactured homes producer Fleetwood Enterprises Inc. has completed the $33.2 million bankruptcy sale of its RV business to American Industrial Partners Capital Fund IV L.P, which will locate the new headquarters in Decatur, IN.

The new company name will be Fleetwood RV Inc.

At the same time, Fleetwood terminated about 700 employees associated with the RV portion of its business. The new owners are expecting to hire about 650 employees over the next several weeks.

The sale includes two motor home manufacturing facilities, two motor home service facilities, and Fleetwood’s Gold Shield supply subsidiary, all presently located in Decatur, Indiana. It also includes the intellectual property for Fleetwood’s existing motor home brands and certain machinery and equipment in Riverside, California.

Fleetwood Enterprises continues to own two idled motor home plants in Pennsylvania and California, although the Riverside, Calif. plant will be operated temporarily by AIP under license.

American Industrial Partners was founded in 1989 and is a US based private equity firm that makes control equity investments, in partnership with management, in well positioned US headquartered industrial companies with leading market shares that can benefit from the firm’s systematic approach to implementing strategic and operational improvements.

For more information about the firm visit http://www.aipartners.com

Following the sale of its motorized recreational vehicle business, Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc. and its various subsidiaries continue to produce, distribute, and service manufactured housing. Fleetwood continues to employ approximately 1,100 people in 11 plants located in nine states. Fleetwood’s products are primarily marketed through an extensive dealer network throughout the United States and Canada. The company is headquartered in Riverside, California.

Auto Parts Manufacturer Magna Plans $18 Million Production Plant in Highland Park, Michigan

Auto parts maker Magna Seating plans to invest $18 million in a multi-product facility here and create more than 400 jobs. The supplier of complete seat solutions and seat mechanisms was approved for a $4.5 million state tax credit over seven years, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Magna Seating is a division of Magna, which has 240 manufacturing operations and 86 product development, engineering and sales centers in 25 countries on five continents as of December 2008. Magna’s American operations are based in Troy, Michigan. For more information about the company visit http://www.magnasteyr.com

Manufacturing Job Opening in Plymouth, Michigan

Company BASF

Job Title Manufacturing Technician

Location: Wyandotte, MI, 48192, USA

Description Specific candidates requested to return to assignment at BASF in Wyandotte – Please see comments below!!
Experienced Manufacturing Operator to support 24X4-5 day rotating shift operation. Chemical Handling and/or Plastics Compounding experience preferred. Must posses strong safety, quality and productivity orientation, with good written and verbal communication skills. Must display moderate mechanical aptitude and physical capability to lift up to 50 lbs. Able to take direction and function with limited supervision.
To apply to this job, please contact Consulting Direct at 212-880-2950 or email resumes to resumes@consultingdirect.com.

Job Posting: Manufacturing Engineer at Tier 1 Auto Supplier – Shelbyville, IN

An outstanding career opportunity exists with a World-Class Automotive Supplier’s Manufacturing Operations near Shelbyville, Indiana, a desirable locale southeast of Indianapolis, Indiana. The position is titled Manufacturing Engineer, Automotive and the individual will be involved in the manufacture and assembly of automotive components and systems in a lean manufacturing environment. Although the Corporation’s automotive component product line is technologically sophisticated, Automotive Manufacturing Engineering Professionals with solid automotive components manufacturing experience, regardless of component type, are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities:
-Responsible for development and engineering support of equipment and manufacturing processes.
-Assist and advise relative to improved processes and manufacturing problems to ensure that the production of a high quality product in a timely and cost effective manner is achieved.
-Responsible for Project Leadership and Coordination activities in a team environment to ensure program applications and initiatives are accomplished.

Education / Experience -A four year technical degree, preferably in mechanical, manufacturing, or industrial engineering, is required.
-Knowledge of QS9000 (TS-16949 helpful) and previous automotive experience required.
-Three to five years or more experience in a manufacturing setting.
-Knowledge of and experience in lean manufacturing highly desired.
-Six Sigma certification helpful.

This position is located near Shelbyville, Indiana, a desirable locale southeast of Indianapolis, Indiana, can involve travel, and is highly desirable for professional development, with growth opportunities.

Professional Human Development (PHD) is a respected recruiting firm that assists major corporations in the staffing of their employment openings. We are exclusively funded by our corporate clients, and strive to align our organization with corporations that offer high visibility, growth, challenge, and strong career potential. PHD provides a personal and confidential service. No action occurs without the individual’s expressed permission.

Prior to any action, we will call or e-mail you with complete detail. If, upon your reflection, you like the opportunity and give us your permission to pursue it, then and only then, does any action occur. Qualified individuals please respond in complete confidence to: Alan R. Bowman, President PHD-Professional Human Development 2820 W. Maple Rd. Suite 226 Troy, MI 48084 Voice: 248 988 7070, Fax: 248 643 9979, e-mail: bowmanphd at hotmail dot com

Ralco, Auto Supplier in Pontiac, MI, Planning $6.4 Million Expansion

Ralco Industries Inc., a supplier of welded assemblies, metal stampings, design prototype and tooling for the automotive industry – plans to invest $6.4 million to expand to a larger facility here which will serve as the company’s North American corporate and manufacturing headquarters.

The state recently approved tax credits worth a combined $2.6 million over seven years to encourage the company to expand in Michigan over a competing site in Tennessee.

Officials expect the project to create more than 100 jobs. The Michigan Economic Development Corp. supported the deal.

For more information about the company visit http://www.ralcoind.com/

SCP Limited of Auburn, Indiana Plans $2.6million expansion

The company will invest more than $2.6 million in machinery, equipment and building upgrades to expand its facility located at 1700 South Indiana Avenue, according to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

Specialized Component Parts specializes in heating element parts for residential and commercial furnaces and makes a variety of pilot lights, relays, electrodes and hot surface igniters. It sells igniters under the True Start brand.

The expansion project will bring back work currently being done overseas, more than doubling its 20-person workforce. The company has already begun hiring engineers and material scientists.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Specialized Component Parts up to $250,000 in performance-based tax credits and up to $15,500 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans.

Specialized Component Parts was founded in 1988. For more information about the company visit http://www.scplimited.com/