147 jobs being added at new 315,000 SF EV component plant at Site 36

(GRAND RAPIDS, MICH) -  Today, The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), announced that The BENTELER Group will expand its Grand Rapids area presence with the addition of a 315,000 SF plant on a 20-acre location at the Site 36 property in Wyoming. The $105m investment will create 147 good-paying jobs and signals the company’s continued commitment to the region. 

The plant, the company’s seventh in the United States, will manufacture battery trays and other metal components for a U.S. automaker’s electric vehicles. Construction started in September, and production is scheduled to begin in 2026. 

Steve Bates, EVP Cluster North America, BENTELER Automotive Components, said, “Michigan is at the heart of BENTELER's US automotive operations. In addition to our headquarters in Auburn Hills, we have been operating another facility in Grand Rapids since 1985. This investment is a further clear commitment to the region. We would like to thank all our partners, customers, and other stakeholders for supporting us as we expand our operations here.” 

The BENTELER Group, the parent company of BENTELER Automotive Components, currently operates six facilities in the US and employs approximately 1,700 people. In October of this year, the company announced a multi-million dollar expansion of its Spartanburg, South Carolina facility and, in November, opened a new threading facility at its Shreveport, Louisiana, steel/tube facility—also a multi-million dollar investment. 

The Right Place worked closely with the MEDC to ensure the company continued its growth in the region. They offered support by effectively organizing state and local resources, which included the Michigan Business Development Program Incentive, State and Local Tax Capture of Act 381, and assistance from West Michigan Works. 

“BENTELER recognizes that the Grand Rapids region plays a central role in its U.S. growth strategy, and the Site 36 property is an ideal location for them, so this is great news all around,” said Brent Case, Vice President of Business Development at The Right Place. “BENTELER continues to drive innovation in the EV components industry so it will be exciting to see what comes from this new plant.” 

”We are convinced of the positive development of the US automotive market, said Emerson Galina, President of Americas of the BENTELER Automotive Components Division. “Accordingly, we are very much looking forward to opening our new plant in Grand Rapids. From here, we will continue to drive the transformation to e-mobility for our customers with innovative solutions.” 

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About The Right Place, Inc.
The Right Place, Inc., is a regional nonprofit founded in 1985 with the mission to drive sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity for all in the Greater Grand Rapids Region. The Right Place works to achieve this mission by focusing on three core areas: People, Place, and Prosperity. The Right Place is an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) as designated by The International Economic Development Council. Find out more by visiting rightplace.org, liking us on Facebook, and following us on LinkedIn and Instagram. 

About BENTELER
BENTELER is a global company serving customers in automotive technology, the energy sector, and mechanical engineering. As metal processing specialists, we develop, produce, and distribute safety-related products, systems, and services worldwide. In doing so, we are guided by our corporate values of courage, ambition, and respect. In the 2023 financial year, Group revenues were around €8.8 billion.  The BENTELER Group is managed by BENTELER International AG, based in Salzburg, Austria. Our around 23,000 employees at 86 locations in 26 countries offer first-class manufacturing and distribution competence—all dedicated to delivering first-class service wherever our customers need us.  BENTELER. The family of driven professionals. Since 1876. www.benteler.com