Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Tigerpoly Manufacturing, Inc. officials announced the company’s plans to expand its operations in the Columbus Region, investing more than $10.7 million and creating 40 new jobs. The manufacturer of rubber and plastic parts for the automotive industry announced hiring for material handlers, production and quality assurance positions will begin in Q4 2019. The news comes at the start of Governor DeWine’s business development mission to Japan, where he is joined by officials from JobsOhio and One Columbus.
“Tigerpoly’s investment is an example of how Japanese companies are choosing to come to Ohio while continuing to grow here,” said Governor DeWine. “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.”
Tigerpoly will use this new investment to add 105,000 square feet to its current facility at 6231 Enterprise Parkway in Grove City. The company will also purchase new machinery and equipment to expand its current capabilities and position the company for future growth. After evaluating locations in the Southeast to help grow its production footprint, Tigerpoly decided to expand in Grove City, which has been home to the company’s only U.S. production facility for mass-producing rubber and plastic automotive parts since 1987. Tigerpoly currently employs 395 full-time employees in the Columbus Region.
“Expanding in Grove City allows us to leverage our longstanding commitment to the Columbus Region,” said Tigerpoly Senior Operations Manager Tim Vanover. “The Columbus Region 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 company is shifting its focus to domestic production capacity due to recent increases in customer activity, the geographical expansion of its customer base and changing demand. Tigerpoly is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tigers Polymer Corporation, which is located in Osaka, Japan.
“Grove City offers locally-based companies like Tigerpoly stability and longevity, which are important elements for success in the automotive sector,” said Grove City Mayor Ike Stage. “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.”
The Columbus Region is inextricably connected to the global economy and Japan is the Region’s No. 1 source for foreign investment. In fact, 133 Japanese companies have operations in the Region, including Honda of America Mfg., Inc., TS Tech Co., Ltd. and Stanley Electric U.S. Co., Inc. Japan is also Ohio’s top international investor, with more than 72,860 Ohioans employed at 852 different Japan-owned establishments across the state. Additionally, Japan was Ohio’s fifth largest export market for Ohio products in 2018, when Ohio firms exported more than $1.67 billion worth of products to Japan.
“Tigerpoly is a longstanding partner in Franklin County and we are thrilled that its success has led the company to expand in Grove City,” said Franklin County Commissioner, John O’Grady, “We look forward to seeing its continued growth following three decades of success in our business community.”
At the forefront of automotive technology and smart mobility, Columbus Region manufacturers produce 700,000 cars a year, while the regional economic output for the automotive industry exceeds $2.5 billion annually. Nearly 19,000 employees comprise the highly skilled manufacturing workforce, making the Region’s automotive share of employment four times greater than the US average. Grove City is in Franklin County, home to an estimated 1,310,300 residents.
Official meetings and events for the governor’s business development mission are scheduled through September 13.