KENTWOOD — Swoboda Inc., a manufacturer of electronic components for the automotive industry, plans to invest $15.1 million in a new expansion project at its Kentwood facility.
The company, which maintains its headquarters in Germany, plans to expand its facility by 25,000 square feet to increase its capacity, according to a statement released today.
“Since our start in Grand Rapids back in 1997, we have experienced continued growth and success,” said John Fuhs, vice president of sales and engineering for Swoboda.
Swoboda plans to create 37 new jobs as part of the expansion, according to the statement.
The company was awarded a $200,000 performance-based grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund, according to the statement. The City of Kentwood is also considering a property tax abatement on the investment.
Swoboda originally began operations in Grand Rapids in 1997, when it was first attracted to the region by Grand Rapids-based economic development firm The Right Place Inc.
“We located Swoboda’s first U.S. facility in West Michigan 19 years ago,” said Birgit Klohs, president and CEO of RPI.
Grand Rapids-based A.J. Veneklasen Inc. will serve as the general contractor on the project, which Swoboda expects will begin in Spring 2016 and end it by late Fall 2016, according to the statement.
Executives from Swoboda declined to comment on additional details of the expansion project.
