Automotive supplier Llink Technologies LLC is expanding to a second site that will help it nearly double employment within two years.
The firm will launch assembly operations at a new, $3 million facility in Brown City, Mich., at the start of January, retaining injection molding at its headquarters operation in Romeo, Mich.
The new plant comes as Llink expects to post $21 million in sales this year, maintaining a track record of annual growth of 30-35 percent.
The privately held company makes modules for interior giants such as Lear Corp. and Intier Automotive Inc. The firm also produces roof rack assemblies and sunroof frame systems. The Brown City site will assemble sun visors and adds options such as lighted vanity mirrors.
``The interior [specialists] control about 80 percent of their products,'' Jeff Goulet, chief executive officer, said in a Nov. 24 telephone interview. ``We're focusing on the 20 percent where the Tier 1s are not the experts.''
Llink launched six years ago. Its name is the reverse of the last name of co-founder and President Rick Knill. Everything within the firm's product line is developed in-house, Goulet said.
Its 25 injection molding presses in Romeo have clamping forces of 44-650 tons, including six vertical presses.
The Michigan Economic Development Corp. provided an $823,500 state grant to help Brown City construct a road along with water and sewer lines for the new factory. The building is in a state-designated Renaissance Zone, which will help Llink reduce the initial tax bill.
Goulet said the community has a motivated workforce in the largely agricultural community about 30 miles north of the Romeo headquarters. Llink expects to have 125 people employed at the new site within two years, in addition to the 150 already working in Romeo.
