Business expansion projects expected to generate $7.2 million in total investment and create 172 jobs are coming to Sterling Heights and near Grand Rapids after receiving approval for support from the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF).
Flex-N-Gate, established in 1956 and headquartered in Urbana, Ill., plans to open a new research and development facility, Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, in Sterling Heights, investing more than $2.2 million and creating 50 engineering jobs. The company, which is building a large light manufacturing plant on Detroit’s east side, produces products and systems for the automotive industry focusing on plastics, metals, and mechanical assemblies. The company employs more than 23,000 people at 62 manufacturing facilities and nine product development and engineering facilities globally.
J-Star Motion Corp., a subsidiary of Jiecang Linear Motion Technology Co., China’s largest manufacturer of linear motion products for office furniture, plans to open a manufacturing facility in Michigan for the production of adjustable height mechanisms for the office furniture industry. The company has a temporary location in the village of Kent, and plans to add manufacturing operations in Cedar Springs. The project is expected to generate a total investment of nearly $5 million and create 122 jobs, resulting in a $738,000 MBDP performance based grant. The Right Place Inc., a nonprofit development agency, has offered staff time and resources for the project, and J-Star will begin staffing the facility in early 2018.
“We are thrilled that Flex-N-Gate, one of the fastest growing Tier I suppliers, has chosen Sterling Heights as the location for its new R&D facility,” says Sterling Heights Mayor Michael C. Taylor. “Sterling Heights has the talent pool, resources, and business-friendly climate essential to Flex-N-Gate’s future success at this location. We look forward to being a part of Flex-N-Gate’s continued growth and welcome its investment in our community.”
After selecting Michigan over a competing site in Illinois, Flex-N-Gate was awarded a $500,000 Michigan Business Development Program (MBDP) performance base grant. The City of Sterling Heights has offered to host a talent event in support of the project, and career information can be found here.
