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Hi-Lex America, in Battle Creek’s Fort Custer Industrial Park, broke ground on a 35,000-square-foot expansion April 20, shelling out $4 million to add the space and hire 10 more employees.
“This is a 25 percent increase from the space we have right now — 140,000 square feet,” says Plant Manager David Hemmerlein. “We’ll retain the 250 jobs we already have and hire 10 more associates in the manufacturing area.”
Hi-Lex builds mechanical control cables, window regulators and door modules, and power closure products for automobiles, boats, snowmobiles, golf carts, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and more.
Hemmerlein counts Honda as his largest client among such giants as Toyota, Ford, Harley Davidson and Polaris.
He is pleased with the recently increased need for his products.
“There has been an uptick in business for the last eight or nine months,” he says. “People pulled back during the downturn, but they’re coming back now.”
The expansion project will wrap up by August and Hemmerlein is aiming high for future growth and more jobs.
“The only glitch is if gas prices go up,” he says. “Then people might pull back again. But if the economy keeps going, our future will be pretty bright. This is a much better business climate and our workforce is very dedicated to the customers.”
Writer: Kelle Barr, Second Wave
Source: David Hemmerlein, Hi-Lex Plant Director