Grand Rapids: Autocam in Kentwood to add 200 jobs; invest $32.6 million

WZZM 13 - December 14, 2010

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN - Kentwood based Autocam Corporation is expected to create 200 new jobs and $32 million in investment over the next five years, after the state approved a credit expansion. The Right Place Inc. and the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) announced new expansion plans.

Autocam is a global leader in manufacturing precision components for the auto and medical industries. The company's plans include investments in both its transportation and medical device divisions, focusing on the development of next generation components for both.

John Kennedy, the company's founder and CEO, told the MEGA board: "We have great people in West Michigan. We've tried to retain all of our people because we knew the economy would recover."

Kennedy said the growth is spurred in large part by requirements that auto makers increase their fuel efficiency by 15 to 20 percent in the years ahead. Autocam is the largest independent producer of fuel system components in the world, with 12 plants around the globe.

The company had considered expansion elsewhere, but wanted to grow at it's global headquarters. "We will start to interview immediately for the openings...we could use some of the people right now today" Kennedy told WZZM 13's Peter Ross.

According to The Right Place, the city of Kentwood plans to support the expansion project and is currently considering approval of a PA 198 property tax abatement for the company's facilities located in the city.

 

Autocam currently employs about 1,400 people. As the company expands, they're adding new jobs well above minimum wage, the company will be paying many of their new hires nearly $1,000 a week and looking to hire a dozen people immediately.

"We're very excited about being able to continue to offer those jobs and add new jobs here for some additional employees here in West Michigan," said Autocam CFO Warren Veltman.