EQ United released further information about its move to Cassopolis, Michigan, with a notice from Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announcing support from the Michigan Strategic Fund.
EQ United first noted its move to Cassopolis in the October edition of RV News Magazine.
Jason Loose, EQ United’s chief operational officer, said EQ Logistics will remain in Elkhart with close to 500,000 square feet of warehousing space. EQ Systems, EQ Harness and EQ United (the corporate umbrella) will move in 2022 to the Michigan city.
“The move was based on the need for expansion and when the right facility became available the decision was made,” Loose said. “The move to the new facility will accommodate the growth EQ Systems has seen in the past 10 years.”
He noted that all of the EQ brands began by sharing 50,000 square feet, and the new facility in Cassopolis, 30 minutes north of Elkhart, allows the business to move into a 210,00 square foot facility housing office space, retail and installation space and additional manufacturing. The company is adding manufacturing capacity to increase its overall ability to produce cylinders it is currently purchasing from vendors in Minnesota and Canada.
Currently, the layout, planning and preparation of the facility are underway, Loose said.
Founded in Elkhart, Indiana in 1914, Days LLC dba EQ United, has two divisions: distribution and logistics and its manufacturing operations, providing components for RVs, trailers, and specialty markets. The company currently has three campuses in Indiana, and one will remain to operate logistics and distribution.
EQ United Chief Financial Officer, Nate Carpenter, said EQ United and its subsidiary, EQ Systems, is looking forward to the expansion.
“We are eager to become a part of the local community and landscape, providing a great place to work and for a strong partnership with the MEDC,” said Carpenter. “We are striving for more in-house manufacturing and currently we are working on doubling our cylinder manufacturing and producing wire harnesses for many outside markets. Our ‘United’ company will continue to provide quality products and services to the markets and regions we currently serve and beyond.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said the business climate in her state supports highly skilled manufacturing businesses and provides Michiganians with the opportunity to secure a good-paying job.
“This is great news for working people, their families, and our economy as we continue our economic jumpstart and put Michigan back to work,” Whitmer said. “With the help of companies like EQ United, we can build back our state’s economy stronger than ever.”
The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $6.2 million and create up to 175 jobs, supported by a $350,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen for the project over competing sites in Indiana.
The project adds to Michigan’s advanced manufacturing and will solidify the company’s future growth in the state. Market Van Buren has offered to assist the company in finding candidates for the newly-created positions, and the company also plans to work closely with Michigan Works! Individuals interested in careers with EQ United should contact equnited.us/. Zach Morris, Market Van Buren executive director, welcomed the manufacturing company to Southwest Michigan.
Quentin Messer Jr., MEDC CEO and Michigan Strategic Fund president and chair, said he appreciated EQ United’s vote of confidence in the workforce and business climate in Michigan.
“This project is a win for Southwest Michigan and for the entire state,” Messer said. “We are proud to join our local partners as we welcome EQ United to Cassopolis, and we look forward to attracting more companies like EQ United to Michigan.”
