A subsidiary of Chinese auto parts maker Minth Group Co., Ltd., extrusion and injection molding company Plastic Trim International Inc., is investing US$16.1 million to expand its Baldwin manufacturing facility in Michigan.
The company provides decoration, molding and automotive trim for a number of global automakers, including General Motors, Fiat Chrysler, Volkswagen, BMW and Nissan.
Part of the investment includes a nearly 50,000-square-foot expansion of the current 111,000-square-foot factory, which will increase the total building size to approximately 160,000 square feet.
Minth Plant Manager John Zanti said in a telephone interview on April 25 that about $10 million of the total investment will be used to build a new coating line for injection molded parts.
Zanti said that the company sees the growth in the exterior of plastic cars, and the procurement of new equipment will help further diversify its production lines.
In addition, the Michigan Strategic Fund board has approved a nearly $1.6 million performance grant from PTI. The grant is based on the creation of 210 starting salaries of $24 with benefits over the next two to three years. The new job position depends on the amount required.
Zanti said that the company plans to employ industrial engineers, quality engineers, maintenance technicians and production workers.
He added: 'At present, the unemployment rate in this area is about 10%, so we hope that we can help improve the unemployment rate. But, yes, we have encountered some difficulties in recruiting personnel.'
PTI Corporation currently employs 250 workers at its two production facilities in Baldwin, MI and East Worth.
Its parent company, Minth Group, is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Sales figures show that sales in 2017 were about US$1.4 billion.