Montcalm Economic Alliance assists global manufacturer with expansion in Lakeview

The Right Place, Inc. and Montcalm Economic Alliance, in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Village of Lakeview, have announced that Ohio-based Parker Hannifin Corporation will expand its manufacturing operations at 8790 Tamarack Rd, Lakeview, MI 48850. The company is expected to create at least 46 full-time manufacturing and salaried jobs.

“We are delighted that Parker has chosen to expand in Lakeview,” said Shay Gallaher, Village Manager, Village of Lakeview. “They have been outstanding corporate citizens in our community and we look forward to working with them for the next chapter of their growth story here in Montcalm County.”

Parker is the global leader in motion and control technologies, employing more than 55,000 globally. The company has been publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (PH) since 1964.

The Lakeview facility, part of the Fluid System Connectors Division of Parker, was established in 1976 with 10 employees in a small rented building on the north edge of the Village of Lakeview. The Lakeview site expanded to its current site in 1979 with a 27,000 sq. ft. new building, and again expanded to its current footprint at 80,000 sq. ft. in 1996. Currently, the company employs 116 people at the Lakeview facility.

“Bringing these operations together under one roof will create new efficiencies and opportunities for the Fluid System Connectors Division,” said a company representative. “The Village of Lakeview, Montcalm Economic Alliance and the MEDC were there to assist us at every point during our evaluation process. Their collaborative support reassured our decision to expand in Lakeview.”

The new 30,000 sq. ft. expansion in Lakeview will house a consolidated operation that is currently located in Ohio. By consolidating these two operations into one location, Parker will be poised to accelerate growth in the polymer fitting markets.

“Parker has been a stable presence in Lakeview, and the fact that they have chosen to bring this expansion here speaks volumes of their confidence in the ability to continue to be successful,” said Kathy Jo VanderLaan, Business Development Coordinator – Montcalm County, The Right Place, Inc. “As always, The Right Place and Montcalm Economic Alliance’s great partnerships with the MEDC, West Michigan Works!, Montcalm Community College and the Village of Lakeview put this project in the win column.”

The MEDC is supporting the project with the approval of a $250,000 Michigan Business Development Program Grant through the Michigan Strategic Fund. In addition, the company is also expected to apply for a local P.A. 198 tax abatement through the Village of Lakeview.