Forming Technologies LLC, a Muskegon Mich.-based 21-year-old producer of heavy gauge thermoformed products, will build an $18.8 million 150,000-square-foot facility is says will lead to the creation of 70 new jobs and retain 91 employees.
Of the 70 new jobs, 24 will have starting wages between $25 and $42 per hour with benefits, which is above the regional median wage of $21.97 per hour, according to a March 13 announcement from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's office. The remaining jobs have starting wages of $18 to $21 per hour, plus benefits.
The Michigan Strategic Fund awarded Forming Technologies a $500,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant to support the expansion. The City of Muskegon may also support the project with a local property tax abatement.
The announcement from the governor's office noted that Forming Technologies has "experienced a significant increase in business," leading to the expansion.
Forming Technologies had considered locating the project in South Bend, Ind., but stuck with its Muskegon base. It currently has a 53,000-square-foot manufacturing site with an additional 12,500-square-foot warehouse and 1,600-square-foot office, according to its website.
Forming Technologies was founded in 2004 in Muskegon. North Carolina-based Duramax Holdings LLC acquired the company in 2022.
It has both single-sheet and twin-sheet thermoforming with a focus on dunage and large-scale durable trays used by other manufacturers.