KENTWOOD, MICH. — Three years after setting up production in North America, German auto supplier Erwin Quarder Inc. has doubled its manufacturing base and is looking forward to more growth.
The company purchased three new Arburg GmbH injection molding presses for its leased, 25,000-square-foot plant in Kentwood. The purchase will give it a total of 10 presses, with clamping forces of 60-220 tons, General Manager Thomas Schulz said in an April 24 telephone interview.
Schulz estimated total cost of the expansion at about $700,000.
The business produces plastic-coated connections using a proprietary, sealed-foil technology used in electronic door locks, where systems must be able to withstand the weather. Its customers are Tier 1 auto suppliers specializing in electronic integration, Schulz said.
The firm has two-shot molding capability and an in-house toolmaking shop at Kentwood, he said.
Espelkamp, Germany-based Erwin Quarder Werkzeugbau GmbH has produced electronic connections for about 30 years for European automakers including France's PSA Peugeot Citroen Group and Germany's Volkswagen AG.
The Michigan operation represents the company's pursuit of Big Three automakers as well as North American-based transplants of European companies, he said.
"Hopefully, we're going to outgrow this new site soon," Schulz said.