Tower Automotive Builds Mammoth New Facility in Traverse City

22 June 1998
Tower Automotive Builds Mammoth New Facility in Traverse City
    TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., June 22 -- Tower Automotive is opening
a huge 210,000 square foot new production facility in Traverse City, Mich., in
a consolidation of four existing smaller locations in the area.  The new
facility represents an $8 million investment, and anticipated new business is
likely to increase the workforce by at least 40 persons within the next two
years.  Tower Automotive currently has about 300 hourly and 60 salaried
colleagues at its Traverse City business unit.
    In July, the process of transferring stamping and processing equipment
from the four present locations will begin, with the new plant expected to be
fully operational in late fall.  According to Tower Automotive regional leader
Bill Schulz, "We have a very aggressive timetable to do this."  The entire
construction project has been orchestrated without interrupting the daily flow
of product to the customer.
    "We're going through some dramatic growth right now," Schulz said. "We're
not only maintaining production but adding new parts for customers as well."
The Traverse City business unit makes and sells over 400 different stamped
parts and assemblies to 40 automotive customers in about 100 locations
worldwide.
    Schulz notes that the consolidation will allow going to three shifts per
day five days a week, with the ability to go to four shifts spread over seven
days as the work increases.
    Tower Automotive, Inc. produces a broad range of stamped and welded
assemblies for vehicle body structures and suspension systems for automobile
and truck manufacturers, including Ford, Chrysler, General Motors,
Freightliner, Navistar, Dina, Paccar, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Fiat and
Freightliner/Mercedes Benz and others.  Products include body structural
assemblies such as pillars and package trays, control arms, suspension
components, engine cradles and full frame assemblies.  The company maintains
its operating headquarters in Grand Rapids, Mich., and a corporate office in
Minneapolis, Minn.