Aluminum Center of Excellence to ‘Shape’ Future

An aluminum center of Excellence? We had to click and find out more about this project. –By Brian Hurlburt, Founder and Host, Magnifying Excellence Podcast.

According to Grand Rapids Business Journal, The Grand Haven, Mich., based Shape Corp., a global tier-one automotive supplier, held a groundbreaking ceremony recently for its new Aluminum Center of Excellence located in Trenton, Ohio. The article said that “the 322,000-square-foot facility will allow the company to expand its manufacturing and research capabilities of tight tolerance aluminum extrusions and assemblies while creating more than 170 new jobs in the Trenton area.”

Shape Corp. is investing heavily in its global footprint by doubling down on its impact energy management engineering expertise and expanding its capabilities in tight tolerance aluminum extrusions and assemblies, the company said.

“Building the Aluminum Center of Excellence is allowing us to take the critical next step in Shape’s growth journey,” said Mark White, president and CEO of Shape Corp., in the article. “Not only will this facility attract top talent to the market, but it’s ensuring we stay true to our innovation principles and remain on the leading edge of aluminum technology for our expanding customer base.”

Founded in 1974, Shape Corp. builds multimaterial impact energy management and lightweight body structures utilizing ultra-high-strength steel roll forming, tight tolerance aluminum extrusions and large-tonnage injection molding. Shape serves an array of industries, including automotive, office furniture, medical, agriculture and more, in Europe, North America and Asia. The company employs more than 4,500 team members at 17 facilities worldwide.

Also from the article:

“This new state-of-the-art facility will give us the space we need to continue investing in the resources that push boundaries and create amazing aluminum solutions in the automotive market,” said Mark Butterfield, managing director of Shape’s aluminum division and former vice president of engineering and manufacturing at Magnode. “After establishing 70 years in Trenton with Magnode, it made sense for Shape’s expansion to remain planted in the region and reflect on the value it will add to our community.”

The full story from Grand Rapids Business Journal