HP Pelzer to add 124 jobs in Port Huron

HP Pelzer Automotive Systems Inc. in Port Huron will create 124 new jobs and invest $13.5 million to expand its company after receiving a grant from the state of Michigan.

The company, at 2415 Dove St., will be receiving a $496,000 performance-based grant from the Michigan Business Development program.

Production, skilled trades, quality control and human resources jobs will be among the positions added, said Dan Casey, Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County director.

The company will add a new production facility at 2356 Beard St., Port Huron. The company will be leasing the building.

HP Pelzer manufactures soft trim automotive parts with acoustic and heat-management properties. For example, if you look at the cloth that covers the interior of a car roof, the foam material that is underneath that cloth is one of the products the company manufactures overall, Casey said.

The company is a branch of Adler Pelzer Group, which was founded in Germany. The company has four locations in Michigan, including its North American headquarters in Troy. The company chose to expand in Port Huron over a competing site in Tennessee.

Casey said the EDA assisted the company in negotiating the state incentives as well as locating a site in Port Huron to expand to.

The local investment to match the grant will include the St. Clair County EDA hosting a job fair to support the project.

“HP Pelzer’s expansion reflects the appeal and profitability of the thriving automotive industry business climate in Michigan,” said Steve Arwood, Michigan Economic Development Corporation director. “Their presence adds to the diversity of auto suppliers throughout the state.”

HP Pelzer representatives could not immediately be reached for comment.

To apply to a job at HP Pelzer go to http://www.hppelzer.com/openings.html.

Contact Nicole Hayden at (810) 989-6279 or nhayden@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @nicoleandpig.