6 MiMfg Magazine May 2021
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Work in Michigan Manufacturing
Pfizer to Bring 450 New Jobs to Portage Plant
Continuing on plans for a $ 465 million expansion at their Portage campus , Pfizer recently announced the construction of a new pharmaceutical production facility that is expected to generate 450 new jobs .
Company leaders describe the project as “ one of the world ’ s most technically advanced sterile injectable pharmaceutical production facilities .” The new facility will be a multi-story , 420,000-square-foot production engine located on Pfizer ’ s worldwide campus headquarters in Kalamazoo County . Construction will begin this spring and is expected to be operational in 2025 .
Pfizer , an MMA member for nearly 100 years , is leading the charge in the fight against COVID-19 . The company along with partner BioNTech was the first to gain regulatory approval for the vaccine in 2020 , and plans on delivering 300 million doses .
Special-Lite Expands Benton Harbor Complex
Having experienced significant growth in recent years , Decatur-based door and entryway manufacturer , Special-Lite , is expanding its Benton Harbor operations .
A 34-year MMA member , Special-Lite announced it will be
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moving a production line from its facility in Arkansas and making additional upgrades to the interior and exterior of the plant . The moves are expected to generate 60 new jobs over two years and account for $ 2.3 million in private investment .
To support the new investment and job creation , Special-Lite was awarded a $ 300,000 performancebased grant from the Michigan Business Development Program .
Temper Inc . Receives Grant from NASA
Cedar Springs-based Temper Inc . was recently awarded a $ 100,000 grant from NASA to develop a process for welding thermoplastic composites in space . Using the company ’ s “ smart susceptor technology ,” their goal is to develop a process for servicing , assembling and manufacturing thermoplastic materials outside of Earth ’ s orbit .
“ Humanity ’ s future in space requires technologies that enable long-duration , long-endurance
The new pharmaceutical production facility will be located on Pfizer ’ s campus headquarters in Portage ( pictured : Pfizer ’ s main production area , Building 41 ).
missions to support human exploration and habitation ,” according to the grant proposal .
Their smart susceptor technology delivers a resilient material and eliminates the risk of softening , overheating or deforming the components . This is what the company hopes to utilize in space as a fast , low-energy and reliable thermoplastic welding process .
If all goes according to plan , the new process could help support upcoming NASA space missions including Artemis , which aims to land the first woman and the next man on the moon by 2024 .
Prosper-Tech Featured for Industry 4.0 Technology
MMA member Prosper-Tech Machine and Tool , a small precision machining shop in Richmond , was recently featured in Crain ’ s Detroit Business for embracing and utilizing Industry 4.0 technology . The family-owned business was highlighted as a shining example
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