Gentex to Open Production Facility in Grand Rapids
ZEELAND, Mich., Feb. 01, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zeeland, Michigan-based Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ: GNTX) announced today that it plans to open a satellite production facility that will bring 50 new jobs to the Madison
Square neighborhood of Grand Rapids. By expanding its manufacturing footprint, the company hopes to boost its employee base and provide greater access to well-paying jobs as it continues to
implement meaningful solutions to address the ongoing labor shortage.
Gentex is a technology company and long-time supplier of electro-optical products for the global automotive, aerospace and fire protection industries. The company is Ottawa County’s largest
employer, with over 5,500 team members working at its manufacturing campus in Zeeland and nearby lakeshore facilities.
“Rising transportation costs make commuting increasingly difficult, so if Gentex wants to recruit employees from Grand Rapids, we need to be here,” said Gentex President and CEO Steve Downing. “And
by locating a satellite plant and creating jobs in a neighborhood near city center, our goal is to strengthen not only Gentex, but also the surrounding community, and we look forward to future
opportunities to do so.”
The decision to locate in the Madison Square neighborhood came after months of working alongside Amplify GR, a local non-profit
that works in partnership to bring together neighbors, businesses, and local organizations to help strengthen neighborhoods.
“One of our goals is to help ensure neighbors and communities benefit from economic expansion, specifically through job opportunities and wealth creation,” said Amplify GR Executive Director Jon
Ippel. “We are passionate about this work – our staff works collaboratively with companies like Gentex to create innovative ways to maximize their investments in the Madison Square and Boston
Square areas and throughout the community.”
Over the past couple years, Gentex has been systematically addressing some of the region’s largest barriers to employment. In 2021, the company launched Spanish-speaking assembly lines to provide
expanded employment opportunities for West Michigan’s growing Hispanic community. Today, nearly 190 Spanish-speaking employees work on various production lines throughout the company.
In November, Gentex announced plans to open a first-of-its-kind childcare and preschool designed to provide its employees with access to quality, affordable, on-site daycare. The facility, which is
scheduled to break ground this spring, will be located on Gentex’s Zeeland campus. It’s being designed to accommodate the children of both first and second shift workers, with a capacity target of
up to 250 children per shift.
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Gentex’s Grand Rapids facility will be located at 355 Cottage Grove, SE. The building is currently undergoing renovations, with production slated to begin in late May. The facility will produce
sub-assembly components for Gentex’s popular HomeLink product, which consists of vehicle-integrated buttons for operating garage doors and other home automation devices. When fully operational, the
facility will operate two shifts and employ 50 team members engaged in light assembly, warehousing, and logistics.
In early spring, Gentex plans to conduct a series of job fairs and community events designed to introduce the company to the surrounding neighborhood. Those interested in employment at the Cottage
Grove facility can learn more at www.gentex.com/GR.
Founded in 1974, Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ: GNTX) is a supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and electronics to the automotive industry, dimmable aircraft windows for aviation markets, and fire protection products to the fire protection market. Visit the company website at www.gentex.com.
Gentex Media Contact Craig Piersma (616) 772-1590 x4316 craig.piersma@gentex.com |
Gentex Investor Relations Contact Josh O’Berski (616) 772-1800 x5814 josh.oberski@gentex.com |
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
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