The Right Place assists Weiss Technik North America with $25 million expansion in Kentwood

Today, The Right Place, Inc., in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the City of Kentwood announce that environmental test chamber manufacturer Weiss Technik North America (WNA) plans to invest $25.6m to expand operations in Kentwood with a 125,000 SF facility aimed at expanding manufacturing and office space to accommodate customer demands better. The company has acquired approximately 10 acres at 4401 36^th St in Kentwood for the expansion. This project will create 36 highly technical and professional jobs.

The MEDC is supporting the initiative with a $350,000 grant from the Michigan Business Development Program. The company is also receiving real property tax abatement from the City of Kentwood in conjunction with a MEDC-authorized State Education Tax abatement. The company expects to add positions across multiple functions, including Production, Engineering, Management, and Sales, with starting wages between $22.77 and $70 per hour plus benefits, all above the regional media wage of $21.97 per hour.

Kentwood was chosen over competing states where the company maintains current operations with capacity that could have accommodated this growth. Ultimately, WNA chose Kentwood due to the highly skilled workforce it has built throughout more than 45 years of operations in West Michigan.

The company’s North American headquarters is located at 3881 North Greenbrooke Drive in Kentwood. The company has had a West Michigan presence for over 45 years and currently employs 129 people across three different locations in greater Grand Rapids.

WNA, a subsidiary of Germany-based Schunk Group, is the US market leader of environmental test chambers. From compact chambers designed for the smallest components to expansive walk-in chambers capable of full vehicle testing, WNA offers a comprehensive range of solutions. Their chambers replicate a wide array of climatic conditions, including temperature, humidity, altitude, vacuum, corrosion, dust, and more – simulating any environment from earth to space. These innovative product solutions are trusted by manufacturers nationwide for ensuring product reliability and validation testing. The company serves a wide range of industries, including but not limited to aerospace, defense, electronics, and automotive.

“This significant investment by the Schunk Group, the parent company of WNA with global headquarters in Germany, underlines our ongoing efforts to develop and build our state-of-the-art products for our U.S. customers, reflecting our commitment to innovation and growth,” said Robert Levert, CEO of WNA. “By further expanding our engineering and manufacturing capacity in the U.S., we’re strengthening our ability to exceed the evolving needs of our U.S. customers with speed, precision, and technical excellence. We are also deeply grateful for the support of Mayor Stephen Kepley, the Kentwood City Council, and the city’s development team, whose efforts helped bring this project to life.”

“Our design-build partner, Wolverine Building Group—led by Michael Houseman—has played a crucial role in translating our vision into a high-performance facility,” said Jeff Agar, VP/COO of WNA Grand Rapids. “This cutting-edge space will streamline our operations across engineering, manufacturing, and logistics, allowing us to serve our customers more efficiently and innovate faster than ever. We’re also thankful for the invaluable support from the MEDC and The Right Place, whose partnership has been essential throughout the process.”

The Right Place worked closely with the City of Kentwood and the MEDC to ensure the company's continued growth in the region. They offered support by effectively organizing state and local resources, including the Michigan Business Development Program Incentive.

“The Right Place is excited that Weiss Technik chose to expand their operations here in the Grand Rapids area,” said Brent Case, Vice President of Business Development at The Right Place. “The company had attractive options from other Midwest regions, but our area’s skilled talent pool, strong work ethic, and supportive business climate all influenced their decision to grow right here.”

“We are pleased to have MEDC support Kentwood businesses in their pursuit of success while providing new job opportunities,” Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said. “This continued investment is a testament to Kentwood’s role as a hub for development and innovation.”