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n this 2012 file photo, Herbruck's Poultry Ranch employee Hortencia Espinoza stacks eggs as they are processed at Herbruck's farm in Saranac.

(File photo | Mlive Media Group)

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The Right Place Inc. announced three business expansions on Wednesday, April 30, that promise to bring 446 new jobs and $52.1 million in new investment to the region over the next four years.

The expansions include the arrival of INglass, an Italian firm that specializes in plastic injection moldings for the automotive industry; a new location for NOVO1 Inc., a Texas-based call center operator; and an expansion of Herbruck's Poultry Ranch, the state's largest egg producer based in Ionia County.

“These three projects reaffirm the strength of West Michigan’s diverse economic base,” Birgit Klohs, president and CEO of The Right Place, said in a press release. “From advanced Italian manufacturing technology to worldwide customer contact centers, West Michigan has become a destination for global business success.”

Each of the projects is eligible for financing assistance from the Michigan Economic Development Corp., which approved performance-based incentives for each of the projects at its board meeting in Lansing on Wednesday, April 30.

The new projects include:

INglass, a 27-year-old Italian firm with operations around the world, plans to build a $17.6 million facility for its HRSflow Division in Byron Township. The new facility at 720 740th St. SW will employ 109 persons over the next four years. The project is eligible for a $300,000 grant from the MEDC.

“In the following years, this decision will lead INglass and HRSflow to a growth equal or greater to the one that we achieved in the past,” said Maurizio Bazzo, President of, INglass in a press release issued by Right Place.

“West Michigan in particular was chosen due to its strategic position in the plastic injection market,” Bazzo said. The new location will establish the company’s first Michigan presence for its HRSflow Division, dedicated to making hot runner systems for plastic injection molding.

“The company chose Michigan to better support its local customers and ensure just-in-time delivery, prompt service and closer sales relationships,” the Right Place said in its news release.

“The close partnership between The Right Place, NAI Wisinski, and Byron Township was critical to the success of this project,” The Right Place said. “As a global company based in Italy, working with one cross-functional team streamlined the project, providing a single source for business success in West Michigan.”

NOVO1, a Fort Worth, Texas-based company that also operates a call center employing nearly 500 in Holland, announced it will create 287 jobs for its Dialog Direct Division. The offices will be at 2905 Lucerne Ave. SE, in the Centennial Park office development in Cascade Township.

The MEDC awarded NOVO1 a $550,000 Michigan Business Development Program grant that will help bring 287 new jobs and a total investment of $1.5 million to Cascade Township over the next three years.

NOVO1’s customer contact centers provide solutions for a variety of vertical markets, including: healthcare, insurance, financial, utilities and retail, according to The Right Place. NOVO1, which opened its Holland call center in 2010, is near capacity and needs more space to meet new client needs.

“The combination of community support, an outstanding labor market and our desire to create jobs in Michigan helped us make the decision to invest in Grand Rapids,” said Douglas Kearney, CEO of Dialog Direct.

RELATED: NOVO1 plans job fair in search of 135 new workers for Holland call center

Herbruck's Poultry Ranch, the state's largest egg producer with 6 million laying hens, is planning a $33 million expansion project in Saranac that is projected to create 50 jobs over the next three years.

The expansion, which will be located at the company's headquarters facility at 6425 West Grand River Ave., was approved for a $500,000 incentive from the MEDC.

“Dedication within our multi-generational family business to create jobs and invest in Ionia County is a priority for our company,” said Herb Herbruck, vice president of operations, Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch. “Expanding and investing in our community is now a reality with the assistance provided by the Ionia County Economic Alliance and the MEDC.”

“We are privileged to help Herbruck Poultry continue to grow their legacy in Ionia County,” said Jennifer Wangler, Ionia County business development specialist for The Right Place, Inc. “As a national leader in the egg production industry, we are pleased that this expansion will continue to keep Herbruck Poultry embedded in Ionia County.”

As part of the expansion, Herbruck’s will invest $1.5 million in a new, public sewer main tied directly to the Lakewood Wastewater Authority system, The Right Place news release said. To support Herbruck’s growth, the authority is waiving its sanitary sewer connection fee of $405,000.

The new sewer line will be used to handle wastewater used in the egg processing operations and not the manure produced by the hens, Wangler said.

Herbruck's expansion of this sewer line, although funded and managed by Herbruck's, will not be dedicated to the company, the Right Place said. "Any company along the line will be able to tap into and utilize this new, improved infrastructure. The expansion of this line may spur additional economic growth in the area."



RELATED: Herbruck's Poultry Ranch unveils $17.5 million expansion plan that will add 50 new jobs

Jim Harger covers business for MLive/Grand Rapids Press. Email him at jharger@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter or Facebook or Google+.