LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced three business expansions in Kalamazoo, Kent and Kalkaska counties. In total, over $31 million in capital investment and the creation of nearly 200 new jobs. ProTec Panel and Truss is expanding in Battle Creek, investing $3 million and creating 50 new jobs. Weiss Technick NA is planning $25.6 million of capital investment along with the creation of 36 new jobs. WarBird Protection will be investing $3 million in Kalkaska while creating 110 new jobs.
“Today’s announcements will build on Michigan’s economic momentum, creating nearly 200 good-paying manufacturing jobs,” said Governor Whitmer. “I want to thank Warbird, Protec, and Weiss Technik for choosing to invest in Michigan. Let’s keep working together to strengthen our economic development tools so we can help more workers and businesses make it in Michigan.”
“We’re growing Michigan’s economy and creating good-paying jobs in communities across our state,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “Today’s announcement reinforces Michigan as a leader in manufacturing and innovation. Let’s keep Standing Tall so every innovator and entrepreneur can stay and succeed in Michigan and build the future.”
“Today, we are once again proud to share the exciting news of companies choosing to invest in communities across Michigan—creating new jobs and fueling local economies,” said Matt McCauley, Senior Vice President of Regional Development at the MEDC. “We continue to see both new businesses drawn to Michigan and homegrown companies expanding here because we have the right economic development tools in place to support and secure these vital investments. We applaud these companies and look forward to their continued growth and prosperity.”
ProTec Panel & Truss Manufacturing, LLC is a manufacturer of engineered wood roof trusses, floor trusses, and wall panels along with supplying framing lumber packages. They design and build custom engineered components for residential, agricultural, multi-family, and commercial projects using the latest design software and manufacturing equipment.
“Battle Creek is the perfect second location for us,” said Shane Soule, President of ProTec Panel & Truss. “It positions us closer to the heart of Michigan’s growth and gives us better access to legacy manufacturing talent. This move is about more than expanding our reach—it’s about delivering greater value, speed, and support to the partners who count on us.”
The company has purchased a vacant building in Battle Creek for their expansion that will allow the company to establish a Michigan footprint while also meeting its growing customer demand. Customers include construction companies for commercial and residential properties.
Their expansion into Michigan is anticipated to generate $3 million in capital investment while creating at least 50 new jobs with starting wages $25 per hour plus benefits, nearly $4 per hour above the regional media wage. Support for this project has been approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund through a Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant in the amount of $300,000.
“We are pleased to welcome ProTec Panel & Truss to Battle Creek,” said Joe Sobieralski, President & CEO of Battle Creek Unlimited. “This project will return a long-neglected property to productive use and create as many as 50 high-paying new jobs. As a manufacturer of roof & floor trusses and wall panels, ProTec will also help to address Michigan’s critical housing shortage. We are grateful to the MEDC for their generous support and look forward to ProTec starting production later this year.”
The company has chosen Michigan for the project because of the growth opportunities that the Michigan market presents and the access to legacy manufacturing talent in the Battle Creek labor market.
For those that may be interested in pursuing a career with ProTec Panel & Truss Manufacturing, please click <HERE.>
Weiss Technik North America (WNA,) is the US market leader of environmental test chambers. From compact chambers designed for the smallest components to expansive walk-in chambers capable of full vehicle testing, WNA offers a comprehensive range of solutions. Their chambers replicate a wide array of climatic conditions, including temperature, humidity, altitude, vacuum, corrosion, dust, and more – simulating any environment from earth to space. These innovative product solutions are trusted by manufacturers nationwide for ensuring product reliability and validation testing.
“This significant investment by the Schunk Group, the parent company of WNA with global headquarters in Germany, underlines our ongoing efforts to develop and build our state-of-the-art products for our U.S. customers, reflecting our commitment to innovation and growth,” said Robert Levert, CEO of WNA. “By further expanding our engineering and manufacturing capacity in the U.S., we’re strengthening our ability to exceed the evolving needs of our U.S. customers with speed, precision, and technical excellence. We are also deeply grateful for the support of Mayor Stephen Kepley, the Kentwood City Council, and the city’s development team, whose efforts helped bring this project to life.”
“Our design-build partner, Wolverine Building Group—led by Michael Houseman—has played a crucial role in translating our vision into a high-performance facility,” said Jeff Agar, VP/COO of WNA Grand Rapids. “This cutting-edge space will streamline our operations across engineering, manufacturing, and logistics, allowing us to serve our customers more efficiently and innovate faster than ever. We’re also thankful for the invaluable support from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and The Right Place, whose partnership has been essential throughout the process.”
The company has announced its needs for additional space and production capacity as growth has exceeded the capacity of its existing operations in the Grand Rapids area. To meet those needs, the company has announced plans to develop a new, 125,000 square foot facility in Kentwood, Kent County. The team at Weiss Technik is focused on a new, state-of-the-art facility, which will provide the most attractive workspace for the highly skilled technological and professional personnel currently employed alongside the new hires as a result of the investment.
The investment is anticipated to result in $25.6 million in capital investment and create 36 new, high-paying jobs with wages of up to $70.00 per hour plus benefits, all of which will be greater than the regional media wage of $21.97. Support from the MSF was provided through a $350,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.
In addition to MSF support, the city of Kentwood has approved a real property tax abatement, in conjunction with a MEDC-authorized State Education Tax abatement.
“The Right Place is excited that Weiss Technik chose to expand their operations here in the Grand Rapids area,” said Brent Case, Vice President of Business Development at The Right Place. “Our region’s skilled talent pool, strong work ethic, and supportive business climate all influenced their decision to grow right here.”
Kentwood was chosen over competing states where the company maintains current operations with capacity that could have accommodated this growth. Ultimately, Weiss Technik chose Kentwood due to the highly skilled workforce it has built throughout more than 45 years of operations in West Michigan.
Those interested in pursuing a career with Weiss Technik NA, please click <HERE.>
WarBird Protection Group, Inc. was founded in 2023 with the purpose of developing cutting-edge personal protective products for law enforcement officers, military personnel and sportsman alike.
“This MEDC grant is a powerful endorsement of WarBird’s potential to drive economic growth and fulfill our life-saving mission. This grant will enable us to produce superior body armor and tactical gear, ensuring the safety of those who protect our communities and nation,” said Matt Davis, CEO, WarBird Protection Group, Inc. “Every job created will contribute to the production of equipment that makes a real difference.”
The company has since decided to launch their operation in Michigan at a facility in Kalkaska with the goal of collocating the personal protective equipment design, manufacturing, sales and distribution under one roof. This expansion project is expected to generate at least $3 million in capital investment and create at least 110 new jobs in northern Michigan. Jobs created as a result of this project will have starting wages of $20.65 per hour, which is above the regional median wage.
The Michigan Strategic Fund board recognized the importance of that job creation in the area and is supporting this project with a $750,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant to ensure this happens in Kalkaska. The company had considered facilities in Florida and Arizona, however, with support through the MSF board, the company ultimately chose Kalkaska.
In addition to MSF support, the project is being supported locally by the Village of Kalkaska and the Economic Development Corporation of the County of Kalkaska. Both entities have indicated the strong credibility of the Company’s founder and have highlighted what a catalytic project this would be for the community. Northwest Michigan Works! has also offered a talent recruitment and training proposal valued at up to $307,870 in support of the project.
“The Village of Kalkaska is very excited with the development of WarBird. This is a great addition to our community and will create future commercial growth in our town,” said Aaron J. Popa, Kalkaska Village Manager and Chief of Police. “As the Police Chief I will be proud to say our officers are wearing bulletproof vests that were manufactured by WarBird in our community”
“Northwest Michigan Works! is proud to welcome WarBird Protection Group to Kalkaska County. Creating 110 new manufacturing jobs in northwest Michigan will have a direct impact on the local economy, improving the quality of life for workers and their families,” said Jessica Willis Director, Northwest Michigan Works! “Northwest Michigan Works! is committed to partnering with WarBird and MEDC to ensure this new development and growth is a success for our region.”
