Tigerpoly to expand Ohio manufacturing site

GROVE CITY, Ohio—Tigerpoly Manufacturing Inc. has made steady gains in the marketplace during the last several years and is searching for a way to enlarge its entire operation, which would put it in a better position for future growth.

The firm considered either moving to a larger location or expanding its production plant in Grove City. After an extensive search throughout the U.S., especially in the Southwest, the company elected to remain right where it is and continue building its manufacturing base in Grove City, which is located about 10 miles southwest of Columbus, Ohio.

To do so, the company needed to enlarge and upgrade its 32-year-old plant. The firm recently unveiled plans to invest about $10.7 million to expand the facility, add machinery and create more jobs.

A mass producer of rubber and plastic air induction system parts and other under-the-hood components for the automotive industry, the company has experienced solid growth providing products for the automotive sector for an extended period of time, primarily because of "good quality products and competitive pricing," according to Tim Vanover, senior operations manager of the firm.

In addition to overall growth, key factors in the firm's decision to expand include a shift in its focus to domestic production capacity brought on by recent increases in customer activity, the geographical expansion of its customer base and changing demand, according to a news release issued by JobsOhio, a private, non-profit economic development agency.

Major expansion

Tigerpoly intends to add 105,000 square feet to its 192,000-sq.-ft. factory, which sits on 32 acres.

It also will add about 40 employees to the plant's present work force of 395, Vanover said, along with additional machinery and equipment, primarily injection molding machines. He added that it's likely the new personnel will be brought on board in 2020 and 2021.

A JobsOhio official said new positions being filled at the site include material handling, production and quality assurance positions.

JobsOhio likely will offer assistance, in the form of a grant, once a final agreement with the company is executed, a spokesman for JobsOhio said. However, as of mid-October, grant figures had not been posted.

Construction of the addition was slated to begin in the fall, but completion of that part of the project has not been determined.

Vanover said the company—a wholly owned subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Tigers Polymer Corp.—is expanding in Grove City because the firm wanted to leverage its commitment to the Columbus region, which is already home "to a robust automotive industry and friendly business climate, allowing us to remain in a cost-competitive market from both a geographical and labor perspective."

The firm's decision to remain in the community heartened Grove City Mayor Ike Stage.

"Grove City offers locally based companies like Tigerpoly stability and longevity, which are important elements for success in the automotive sector," he said in a statement. "The company has been a key employer in our community for more than 30 years and its additional $10 million investment will ensure it continues to have a positive impact on the Columbus region's economy."

Another advantage for the company is its close proximity to Honda Manufacturing Inc., which operates three plants in Ohio—in Marysville, Anna and East Liberty. Tigerpoly provides components to those sites, so that was a factor, Vanover said.

While the Grove City facility produces components for numerous businesses in Ohio, it has a wide ranging reach. The factory serves customers throughout the U.S., Mexico and Canada, he said.

Tigerpoly's facility in Grove City, which began operations in 1987, is the firm's only production plant in the U.S. The company's parent—founded as Tigers Rubber Works in 1938—operates 12 manufacturing and research and development complexes in six countries.

Vanover said Tigerpoly produces a variety of components for auto makers at its factory, including engine covers, reserve tanks, air intake ducts, air cleaner modules, air conditioning ducts, air flow tubes, resonator chambers and transmission parts.

It uses a number of raw materials to produce components, including rubber, thermoplastic elastomers, nylon and polypropylene (talc-filled, glass-filled and unfilled). The firm's vast lines of equipment include numerous blow molding machines, vertical rubber injection machines and plastic molding machines.

Tigerpoly's planned expansion is its second at the Grove City plant. In 2002, the company increased its capabilities at the factory with the addition of an R&D center.

Strong link to Japan

The firm's decision to remain in Ohio and expand its present facility helps to strengthen Ohio's manufacturing and trade partnerships with Japan, which was the fifth largest export market for Ohio-made goods in 2018, JobsOhio said in its news release.

During that year, firm's in the state exported more than $1.67 billion worth of goods to Japan.

It added that Tigerpoly is one of 133 Japan-based companies to set up shop in central Ohio.

Japan also is the Columbus region's top source for foreign investment, according to JobsOhio. It said that more than 72,860 Ohioans are employed at 852 different Japan-owned businesses spread across the state, also making the country Ohio's leading international investor.

Part of that can be attributed to the automotive industry. Central Ohio is growing in terms of automotive and automotive parts manufacturing, JobsOhio said. Columbus region companies make more than 700,000 cars annually.

Each year, the organization added, the area's economic output for the automotive industry exceeds $2.5 billion.

"Tigerpoly's investment is an example of how Japanese companies are choosing to come to Ohio while continuing to grow here," Gov. Mike DeWine said. "The expansion will create 40 new jobs in the Columbus region, where Tigerpoly will invest in the latest manufacturing technology to support its growing customer base."