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Error processing SSI fileSupplier adds jobs in Brighton
The parts maker plans to expand, add 75 positions, mostly production workers and a few office employees.
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BRIGHTON -- While Michigan's unemployment rate tops the country due to the state's loss of automobile manufacturing jobs, the city of Brighton is boasting an increase in jobs.
One reason is Eberspacher North America Inc., which has plans to more than double the size of its facility and add about 75 jobs. The booming automotive parts company, which makes exhaust systems, is expected to add mostly production workers and a few permanent office workers, engineers and logistic employees said spokeswoman Sheri Lizzet.The additional workers will increase the number of employees at its Brighton facility to about 200.The German-based company supplies exhaust systems to General Motors Crop. and the Chrysler Group.
Lizzet, the human resource manager for Eberspacher said times are good at the company.
"We are extremely busy, adding staff and growing," Lizzet said. "We are hiring at all our facilities."
Eberspacher North America Inc. is a subsidiary of the parent company in Esslinger, Germany, the largest independently owned engineering firm and fourth largest automotive exhaust system supplier in the world. The company operates a technical research and development center in Novi and final assembly plants in Brampton, Ontario, and Tuscaloosa, Ala.
The proposed 61,100-square-foot addition will add 58,600 square feet of manufacturing space and 2,500 square feet of office space to its 46,000 square foot building.
Brighton Mayor Kate Lawrence said she welcomes the expansion. "They have been an asset to our community providing high paying jobs," Lawrence said.
Matt Modrack, Brighton's community development director, said the company has doubled its original investment from $10 million to $20 million for its Brighton operations.
"The city of Brighton certainly welcomes Eberspacher's continued investment in our community," Modrack said.
The expansion is part of the company's original plans to add a third phase to the 10-acre site that opened in the Paramount Industrial Park on Orndorf Drive in May 2003.
City officials are expediting site plan reviews so the company can start construction as soon as possible.
Eberspacher was first of three automobile manufacturing firms that anchored their manufacturing facilities and brought more automotive production jobs to Brighton in the last three years. American Mitsuba Corp., makes windshield wiper systems on Orndorf Drive and TG Fluid Systems USA Corp., makes automotive fuel system assemblies on Advance Street.
Lilly Evans is a Metro Detroit freelance writer.
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