Siliconature SpA a manufacturer of siliconized and treated films for special applications, from Godega di Sant'Urbano in the province of Treviso, has decided to invest in the United States, for its first plant on American soil and has chosen Kenwood, a suburb of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The investment, worth $26 million, will create 26 new jobs.
To facilitate the project, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation gave the Italian company a $268,000 grant, while Gaines Charter Township secured a substantial tax break.
Siliconature is a world-class Italian group, with plants not only in Italy but also in Asia. Siliconature already had sales offices in the U.S., in Chicago that will now be incorporated into Kenwood's manufacturing facility.
The reason the company's top management decided on a plant in the U.S. was increased sales in the star-studded market. "Siliconature is looking forward to relocating its North America offices to Grand Rapids," said David Arado, president of Siliconature Corp, "and begin its production here. The West Michigan area offers a great talent base for manufacturing and technical work, which then are critical to our success. In addition, the area also offers the urban infrastructure of a big city with a really close natural and rural area." Michigan was chosen after consideration of other areas in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.