Otisco Township manufacturer announces $30.4 million expansion, creating 38 new jobs

OTISCO TWP. — A northwestern Ionia County manufacturer is expanding — providing more than 30 jobs to the community. 

Extruded Aluminum Corporation (EAC), 7200 Industrial Drive, in Otisco Township is expanding its current location — with a capital investment of $30.4 million and 38 new jobs in the Belding area. 

The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Ionia County Economic Alliance (ICEA) and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announced the expansion in a Tuesday, Nov. 16, press release. 

EAC is an aluminum extrusion product manufacturer that was established in 1987, per the release. EAC was started by 11 families who remain investors in the company. There are roughly 160 employees between EAAC and its sister company, Aluminum Fabrication Corporation. EAC processes extruded aluminum products for many industries, including solar energy, material handling, truck/trailer, military and automotive. 

The company purchased a 14-acre lot adjacent to its Otisco Township facility for the expansion, according to the release. It adds 176,000 square feet for EAC to house additional production, handling and processing equipment. 

“As the market for extruded aluminum products continues to grow, we have to increase our production capacity to meet our clients’ needs,” EAC President Charles Hall stated. “Our company has a long history in the Belding community and continuing to grow our presence here is something we’re excited to be able to do. We’re thankful to the team at The Right Place and their partners at the MEDC for providing us with support throughout the expansion process.” 

EAC is recruiting and hiring for 38 jobs ranging from inspection and packaging to material handling, maintenance and supervision. Anyone interested in a career with EAC can visit extrudedaluminum.com/careers. 

The Right Place and ICEA worked with EAC and MEDC so the company would grow in the region rather than out of state locations, per the release. The MEDC is supporting the expansion through the Michigan Strategic Fund after the approval of a $250,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.  

West Michigan Works! And Montcalm Community College will also support the project with a workforce training package. 

“Extruded Aluminum Corporation has been a long-standing facet of the local business community and contributes substantially to the area’s economic health,” stated Travis Alden, senior director of community development for The Right Place and project lead, “West Michigan offers an ideal environment for businesses to thrive, and EAC’s choice to continue growing here after more than three decades of operating in the region further proves that notion.”   

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in a statement supported the expansion, saying the investment will grow Michigan’s economy. 

“Extruded Aluminum Corporation’s investment will create good-paying jobs for residents in Ionia County as we continue building up Michigan’s economy and usher in a new era of prosperity together,” Whitmer state. “We are pleased to collaborate with our local partners and support the expansion by this longstanding Michigan company, which adds momentum to our efforts to ensure Michigan’s manufacturers lead the way in advanced manufacturing and workforce needs. With the help of companies like EAC, we can build back our state’s economy stronger than ever.”    

Ionia County District One Commissioner and Board Chair David Hodges, who represents Otisco Township, said EAC has “steadily grown” in the municipality over the past few decades.  

“We’re pleased to see them announce this next phase of expansion, and thank them for their continued commitment to our community,” Hodges said. 

Michigan was chosen for the project over a competing site in Indiana, according to Whitmer’s office. 

“Congratulations to the team at Extruded Aluminum on your continued growth and success. We appreciate your continued vote of confidence in our state and in our workforce, and look forward to working with you to continue to grow and add jobs for Michigan residents,” said Quentin Messer, Jr., CEO of the MEDC and president and Chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund. “We’re proud to join The Right Place and our other local partners as we send the message that we are working to build a championship economy in West Michigan.” 

— Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at esasiela@sentinel-standard.com. Follow him on Twitter @SalsaEvan.