Dexter Research Center plans to expand, hire 47

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 | Source: Concentrate

Sometimes the sirens call for strategic partnerships is too strong to keep companies where they were founded. Not so with the Dexter Research Center.

The 31-year-old firm has renewed its lease on life by choosing to expand in its hometown, a move that will lead to 47 new jobs in the next five years. The defense contractor has strategic partnerships in Ohio and Massachusetts that were wooing the firm away from Michigan. A $313,000 state tax credit over seven years helped quiet them.

"We have always been here in Michigan," says Cory Ziegler, controller of the Dexter Research Center. "We enjoy being here."

The Dexter Research Center manufactures infrared thin-film thermopile and silicon detectors used in the automotive, oil and military industries. It's also working on new products in what will be the $3 million expansion the firm plans to undertake.

"The last couple of years we have had some good growth but we realized we need more products," Ziegler says.

The Dexter Research Center employs 58 people and has 4-5 positions open right now. It expects to hire another 2-3 people on top of those by the end of the year.

Source: Cory Ziegler, controller of the Dexter Research Center
Writer: Jon Zemke