Midwest Fastener Corp. is making investments at its Portage, Michigan headquarters located on Shaver Road, as well as expanding operations at its Decatur facility. The fastener manufacturer and distributor announced a $10.8 million investment that will create 90 new positions over the next three years.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to announce the project which received a $500,000 Business Development Program performance-based grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund. This type of incentive is available to eligible businesses for highly competitive projects that create qualified new jobs and make qualified new investment. The project serves as a critical retention and growth opportunity in the state, while continuing to build on Michigan’s growing leadership in professional service fields, including jobs found in company headquarters. Midwest Fastener provides critical pathways for entry-level employees to receive training with the ability for promotion. The project represents a job creation mix spanning across positions for both headquarter operations as well as skilled and unskilled laborers for its warehouse and distribution center.
“Today’s $10.8 million investment by Midwest Fastener will create jobs and uplift communities in Southwest Michigan,” said Governor Whitmer. “This project will help us continue Michigan’s economic jump-start with 90 good-paying jobs in Portage and Decatur. We will stay laser-focused on expanding economic opportunity for Michiganders across the state by creating jobs, supporting small businesses, and adding vibrancy to downtown areas.”
“We are working to aggressively retain and grow companies like Midwest Fastener [that] are creating jobs in Southwest Michigan,” said Josh Hundt, Chief Business Development Officer and Executive Vice President at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “We are proud to work with Southwest Michigan First and [the local community on projects] that will help to drive economic opportunity in the region.”
The city of Portage has offered a 50-percent property tax abatement in support of the project.
“The investments being made by Midwest Fastener are important to the Portage community. Midwest Fastener is a locally-owned and operated business that began operations in 1967 and moved to the Shaver Road location in 1983,” said Portage City Manager Joe La Margo. “Over the years, several facility expansion projects have been completed increasing operations and expanding job opportunities for local residents. The city of Portage proud to support this locally owned and operated company on their most recent expansion project.”
“Midwest Fastener has been blessed with continued growth and again needs to expand our Portage facility and staff to support our growing customer base. We are optimistic about the future and our commitment to the community of Portage is stronger than ever,” said Midwest Fastener President Andy DeVries. “Midwest sincerely appreciates the support received from the Michigan Business Development Program, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and the city of Portage in the creation of up to 90 new jobs in Portage and Decatur. Without this support, [we] could not have achieved these great successes.”
The three-phased expansion effort has kicked off with improvements being made to increase capacity at its current warehouse, including an expanded break room and additional parking for staff to keep pace with their rapid growth. The second phase of the project will consist of a 12,400-square-foot expansion to support increased office functions. A 110,000-square-foot warehouse will be constructed during the project’s final phase, featuring technological advancements to augment the company’s pursuit of new product development, R&D, innovation, supply chain optimization, sales support, and leadership in Midwest Fastener’s market.
Southwest Michigan First, the regional economy development catalyst based in Kalamazoo, Michigan provided Midwest Fastener with ongoing consultative services throughout the life cycle of the project.
“Southwest Michigan First congratulates Midwest Fastener as it further establishes the company’s global headquarters in Portage and continues optimization of its global distribution and logistics network. The ongoing growth of the quality hardware manufacturer into additional markets, job creation and recent acquisitions is an outstanding indicator of all that our region has to offer,” said Carla Sones, president and interim CEO of Southwest Michigan First. “We thank the company’s leadership and our partners at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and City of Portage for supporting the efforts behind this important project.”
Midwest Fastener is experiencing high demand for its complete line of fasteners, including bulk fasteners and construction fasteners, and retail displays. With products available in both classic packaging and consumer trusted TorqueMaster, HangMaster, and SaberDrive branded packaging, the company carries over 75,000 SKUs that are carried at retailers across the United States. In addition to its Kalamazoo facility, Midwest Fastener has eight distribution, manufacturing, and packaging facilities in the U.S. and Mexico, including a 118,000-square-foot manufacturing and packaging facility in Decatur, Michigan. The Decatur operation employs about 200 and features the manufacture, assembly, and packaging of a variety of fasteners. The company has additional Midwest facilities in Northfield, Ohio, where it acquired Hy-Ko Products in July 2020 along with its hardware product line including signs, keys, letters and numbers.
Individuals interested in careers with Midwest Fastener should visit https://www.fastenerconnection.com/about/careers.
