Furniture component maker J-Star Motion Corporation will establish a new manufacturing facility in Cedar Springs, MI. The China-based company plans to hire 122 employees and invest $4.9 million in the project.
The company recently opened office and warehouse facilities in Kent City, MI and is now adding the manufacturing operations in Cedar Springs. The new facility will support J-Star Motion’s American business growth, which centers on making linear motion and lifting systems for the office furniture industry.
J-Star has maintained a small presence in the country since 2014 when it opened warehouse and administrative offices in Southern California, which still serves as its American headquarters. Parent company Jiecang Linear Motion Technology Co., Ltd was established in 2000 in Xinchang, China as an original equipment manufacturer of linear actuators and lifting columns. Its products quickly became globally respected for use in medical and home care equipment.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is supporting the expansion project with the approval of a $738,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.
“Securing this new Chinese Foreign Direct Investment is significant for our region,” said Birgit Klohs, President & CEO, The Right Place, Inc. “The investment reaffirms that West Michigan is a global destination for international investment and business expansion.”
The company had considered expanding closer to its California base, but The Right Place was able to build a business case and convince J-Star leaders that the region’s historically-significant furniture manufacturing roots were worth exploring.
“West Michigan was identified as an excellent location due to the proximity to many of the leading office furniture manufacturers and the skilled manufacturing talent available in this area,” said Michael Fedrigo, General Manager, J-Star Motion Corporation. “The support available through The Right Place and the MEDC was a significant factor in their final site selection.”
J-Star is in the process of building its team and hopes to begin local production by mid-2018.
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