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BLISSFIELD, JUNE 19, 2013 –Blissfield Manufacturing has plans to expand its primary location by 73 jobs, over the next 3 years and potentially add $1.5 million in new equipment. The company qualified for state and local business incentives that will help them complete the expansion. The expansion is bitter-sweet, however. The additional jobs come not only from planned growth, but also as a result of the company’s decision to close its Jay Products facility in Portland, Indiana. The production operations at Jay Products are currently being transferred to Blissfield, Michigan.
“As a family-owned business, we sincerely regret having to close our facility in Portland, Indiana. Decisions such as this are not made lightly; we value the people who have worked at Jay Products and have given so much. Yet, the redesign of GM’s power steering system resulting in the obsolescence of Blissfield’s power steering cooler made the decision to consolidate plants the best direction for the company’s future,” commented Pat Farver, CEO and president. “With new business planned on the horizon, Blissfield Manufacturing is readying itself to be in a strong position to support the needs of its customers in the CO2, automotive and environmental markets. Moving forward, we will continue to offer the people of Lenawee a great place to work and continue offering our customers quality products.”
For information on available jobs, contact South Central Michigan Works! at 517-266-JOBS. Lenawee Now (Lenawee Economic Development Corporation) helped Blissfield Manufacturing secure a Michigan business development performance-based grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and apply for Michigan New Jobs Training funding. The job training will be done in coordination with South Central Michigan Works and Jackson Community College.
In addition the Village of Blissfield is considering a PA198 property tax abatement on the $1.5 million of new equipment purchases. “We are pleased to share in these exciting times assisting Blissfield Manufacturing to incorporate new manufacturing processes that are creating additional jobs here in Lenawee,” said Jim Van Doren, Executive Director of Lenawee Now. Blissfield Manufacturing Company, founded in 1946 by O.W. Farver, is a 4th generation family owned business. It specializes in heat transfer technology within the automotive, off-highway vehicle, commercial refrigeration, and industrial equipment markets. Blissfield Manufacturing Company has recently rolled out its ‘Green Technologies’ division, which encompasses a variety of environmentally friendly products ranging from restaurant filtration to waste-water remediation. For more information, visit www.Blissfield.com.
Lenawee Now is a non-profit organization dedicated to economic and business expansion throughout Lenawee County. By attracting new businesses, helping to grow established businesses, and supporting entrepreneurial endeavors in the county, Lenawee Now is creating an economically viable and vibrant region. In addition to business attraction, retention and start-up activities, Lenawee Now provides critical services to support business growth including access to funding sources and talent enhancement.