The company originated a patented process for producing axle tube components that weigh substantially less than standard axle housings and are used in light duty and commercial trucks.
US Manufacturing Corp. plans to transfer operations to 525,000 sf of space in the former Detroit Arsenal Plant by late 2002. The new facility will include forming, welding and machining processes, employee training areas and 50,000 sf of offices. It's located in the city's Renaissance Zone.
The company currently operates a 98,000-sf plant in Bad Axe, MI; a 520,000-sf plant in Lexington, MI and a 104,000-sf plant Port Huron, MI. Its 63,521-sf technical center and corporate offices, in two buildings, are in Fraser, MI. Operations at all facilities will be transferred to the new plant.
US Manufacturing Corp. also operates a 114,000-sf plant in Silao, Guanajuato, Mexico. The plant in that country will remain open, though a portion of its work will also be moved to the new Warren facility.
Employees at the existing plants will be given first consideration for positions at the new facility. The company has a total work force of 525 people.
"This larger plant will enable us to streamline our manufacturing operations and new product development, and bring together multiple functions on the manufacturing floor," Simon says.
The company has grown steadily since it was founded in 1964 in Detroit by Joseph A. Simon Sr. Customers include American Axle, Visteon, Delphi and DaimlerChrysler.
John Boyd, executive vice president of Signature Associates, negotiated the lease for the company.
The Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant was selected for closure in 1995. The installation has been a part of the community since 1940 when construction began on the 1.1-million-sf building. Warren has paid the federal government $5.9 million in installments since November 1997 to acquire the tank plant property.
The plant on Van Dyke Road, which has been operated by both Chrysler and General Dynamics, was the first ever built for mass production of tanks.
The building is being renovated by Oliver/Hatcher construction into an industrial facility. US Manufacturing will be one of the two major tenants, along with Noble International.
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