Regional Industries

Advanced Manufacturing

Home to one of the nation's largest and most diverse manufacturing sectors

The Greater Grand Rapids region is home to one of the nation's largest and most diverse manufacturing sectors. We are national leaders in plastic, biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, production technology, automotive, office furniture, aerospace and more.

Grand Rapids, Michigan, is "The most successful intensive manufacturing city in America" - The Economist

Industry Quick Facts:

  • More than 141,300 advanced manufacturing jobs in West Michigan
  • 2,535 advanced manufacturing establishments
  • A job growth rate of 29.1% from 2011-2020, significantly outpacing the national rate of 7.6%
  • 130+ international manufacturing companies


Manufacturing currently accounts for 19% of all jobs in the region and remains the heart of Greater Grand Rapids' economy. In a 2020 study of 'Cities with the Most Manufacturing Jobs,' the Grand Rapids-Kentwood MSA was found to have the most manufacturing jobs per capita of any large metropolitan area in the U.S. The city's concentration of manufacturing jobs amounts to twice that of the national average.

Contact Brent for more information

Brent 2022

Brent Case

Vice President, Business Attraction

Brent works to recruit new business investment and jobs to the region. He also assists West Michigan companies during the decision-making portion of the expansion process to outline the benefits of growing locally as opposed to out-of-state.

Full Bio

Infographic: Advanced Manufacturing in West Michigan

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Notable West Michigan Manufacturers

Personalized consulting services for West Michigan Manufacturers

Since 1991, the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center-West (The Center-West)​ has acted as trusted advisors to small and medium-sized manufacturers as they develop stronger operations, drive innovation, promote excellence and achieve greater profitability.

Visit thecenterwest.org

Upcoming Manufacturing Events

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Center-West Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Training

Center-West Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Training

Lead Company Improvements with Predictive Success

August 9, 2023
12:00AM–12:00AMTBD

Latest Manufacturing News

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The Right Place assists Evapco SelectTech with Plainfield Charter Township expansion

The Right Place assists Evapco SelectTech with Plainfield Charter Township expansion

Industrial systems integrator expanding, creating 38 jobs & $3M in capital investment

The Right Place assists Jireh Metal Products with Walker expansion
Michael Davenport FINAL FULL SIZE Merc

The Right Place assists Jireh Metal Products with Walker expansion

Metal stamping company’s expansion will generate $1.56 million in private investment in City of Walker

Top Five Things Learned at the Career Readiness Conference
Career Readiness Conference

Top Five Things Learned at the Career Readiness Conference

The Career Readiness Conference: Collaborate to Educate, recently held in West Michigan, brought together 112 leaders and decision-makers in education and manufacturing to discuss the ongoing challenges the talent shortage brings and the importance of building career pathways between K-12 education systems and manufacturing companies.

Join the Manufacturers Council

The Right Place, Inc. convened the Manufacturers Council in 1989 as a way to organize manufacturers’ individual interests into a common purpose of improving the local manufacturing economy. Members of the council work to promote, facilitate, enable and advocate for “best-in-class” manufacturing in the region.

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