Mueller Industries is making a $26.5 million investment in the CIty of Portage that will create 78 jobs over two years.
The Tennessee-based company creates industrial products such as tube and fittings. It will be developing the plastics end of its business in Portage. The company will make plastic drain-waste-vent fittings there.
Mueller Industries will build a 3,900-square foot addition and construct a rail spur to the southwest side of its building at 6700 Sprinkle Road at a cost of approximately $2.6 million. New machinery will be purchased and some will be relocated from other Mueller properties, which is expected to run $23.9 million.
The company is returning to property that it owns but that had previously been idle since May 2010, and vacant since January 2011.
"We are excited that along with our aggressive growth plans for plastics come quite a few high-paying jobs," says Jack Treas, vice president and general manager for Plastic Systems at Mueller Industries.
Treas says the availability of skilled workers in the region and ease of working with the local community were key factors in the company's decision to expand in Portage. It was
Southwest Michigan First, the City of Portage and the
State of Michigan that helped familiarize Mueller Industries with the opportunities available by locating in Portage.
The city has approved a five year tax abatement for the project, says Maurice Evans, city manager of the City of Portage. The city's hope is that Mueller will continue to expand its operations in the city.
"The City of Portage welcomes the return of Mueller to the community and looks forward to the company’s investment in land, building and equipment, but even more importantly, to the creation of new jobs in the community," says Evans.
Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Maurice Evans, City of Portage
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.