The Right Place attracts major closet design brand to West Michigan

California Closets

Today The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and Cascade Charter Township, announced that Berkeley, California-based custom storage manufacturer and retailer California Closets will establish a new manufacturing facility at 4930 Kraft Ave. SE, just south of Gerald R. Ford International Airport. The project is expected to create at least 61 new jobs and invest over $5.7 million in the new facility.

Founded in 1978, California Closets produces custom storage options for all areas of the home. The company is expanding furniture manufacturing operations to the Eastern U.S. to supply its distribution locations there.

The MEDC is supporting the expansion with the approval of a $335,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. In addition, West Michigan Works! has offered workforce development support totaling $48,000 to support the company’s recruiting and on-the-job training investments.

Michigan was chosen over competing sites in Illinois, Georgia, North Carolina and Indiana. The Right Place has offered support to the project in the form of staff time and resources.

"West Michigan is attractive to us due to many factors,” said Eric Wolff, President - Fulfillment, California Closets. “The location offers proximity to our customers and supply base, but more importantly a strong talent base in manufacturing and design. The West Michigan area has been a leader in forward thinking and furniture-related industries, which fits our direction and future."

For more than three decades California Closets has built a reputation as a leader in premium- and luxury space-management, delivering custom products and unparalleled service. Today, the company has 120 showrooms and 700+ designers across North America.

California Closets continues to experience significant growth across North America. In 2015, the company opened a manufacturing facility in Phoenix, Arizona to support demand for its products in the Western U.S. The new facility planned in Cascade Township will supply the eastern portions of the country.

The Right Place assembled a cross-functional team, working with the MEDC and West Michigan Works! to build the business case and incentive package that ultimately attracted California Closet to West Michigan.

“Attracting a major consumer brand like California Closets is a big win for West Michigan,” said Thad Rieder, Senior Business Development Manager, The Right Place, Inc., and project lead. “We competed against several alternative sites in other states, including Illinois, Georgia, North Carolina, and Indiana.”

Individuals interested in careers with California Closets should visit www.californiaclosets.com/careers/.