Granholm Announces Three Company Expansions in Holland and Zeeland to Create 1,771 New Jobs

Bridget Beckman

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Genzink, Request Foods, LeanLogistics to invest $47.9 million

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced three West Michigan companies—Genzink Steel Supply and Welding Company (Holland), Request Foods Inc. (Holland Twp.) and Inc. (Zeeland)—will expand as a result of assistance from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Combined, the projects are expected to create 1,771 new jobs and involve more than $47.9 million in capital investment. Each company chose to expand in Michigan over competing sites in other states.

“We are working hard to diversify Michigan’s economy and these expansions demonstrate that businesses in a variety of industries are choosing Michigan for their growth,” Granholm said. “These are the types of projects that will grow our economy and create good-paying jobs for Michigan families.”

The three projects announced today:

Genzink Steel Supply and Welding Company–The full-service provider of products and services serving local, national and international customers in industries such as mining, alternative energy, gas/oil exploration, rail maintenance, defense and specialty machine building plans to invest $7.9 million in a two-phase expansion at its operations in Holland. The project is expected to create 193 new jobs, including 104 directly by the company. An economic analysis conducted by the MEDC estimates the project will generate an additional 89 indirect jobs. Based on the MEDC’s recommendation, the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) board today approved a state tax credit valued at $1.1 million over seven years to help convince the company to invest in Michigan over a competing site in Texas. In addition, the MEDC has approved up to $150,000 in Economic Development Job Training funding. The city of Holland is considering abatements worth an estimated $1.08 million to support the expansion.
 
Request Foods Inc. –The co-packer of custom entrees, side dishes and specialty items plans to invest $26.1 million to expand its facility in Holland Twp.The project is expected to create 437 new jobs, including up to 202 jobs directly by the company.An economic analysis conducted by the MEDC estimates the project will generate an additional 235 indirect jobs.Based on the MEDC’s recommendation, the MEGA board today approved a state tax credit valued at $2.5 million over 10 years to help win the project over competing national sites.HollandTownshiphas proposed a tax abatement and is considering additional infrastructure assistance in support of the project.
 
LeanLogistics Inc.–Theleading provider of Web-native Transportation Management Systems and Serviceswas purchased by Australian-based Brambles in March, 2008, and operatesas a division of Orlando-based CHEP USA (a Brambles company). By leveraging preferred access to CHEP’s customer base, LeanLogistics’ pipeline growth and new customer acquisition occurs at a rate impossible individually. Nearly $14 million in capital investmentsallows LeanLogistics to develop the next-generation of products and services that capitalize on the network capabilities of the Internet, leverage its unique network size and capabilities, andexpand to global operations. LeanLogistics will move its operations from Holland to Zeeland and expects to create 1,141 new Michigan Jobs, including 581 directly by the company.An economic analysis conducted by the MEDC estimates LeanLogistics’ growth will generate an additional 560 indirect jobs.Based on the MEDC’srecommendation, the MEGA board today approved a state tax credit valued at $11.8 million to win the project over a competing site in Florida. The city of Zeeland is considering a 12-year abatement to support the project.  
 

“We worked side-by-side with these communities and Lakeshore Advantage to win these projects,” MEDC President and CEO James C. Epolito said. “Outstanding collaboration, combined with an exceptional workforce and competitive business climate, helped us prevail against some intense competition.”

The expansions are three of 20 economic development projects the governor announced today. In all, they are expected to create and retain a total of 9,495 Michigan jobs.

“With these significant expansions by a technology firm, food processing firm and a company aggressively pursuing the energy market, today’s announcement is proof positive that our area economy is growing and is diversifying into new markets,” Lakeshore Advantage President Randy Thelen said. “We appreciate the support of Governor Granholm, our state legislators and the MEDC in making these projects a reality.”

In her 2008 State of the State address, Granholm emphasized the importance of creating opportunity in the changing world of the 21st century. Since January 2005, the Governor and theMEDC have announced the creation or retention of more than 257,000 jobs as a result of targeted assistance provided by the MEDC.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.

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