Gentex to expand, add 240 jobs

ZEELAND, Mich. (WOOD) - Gentex Corporation bought a nearby Ottawa County facility so it can add 240 jobs.

That's good news for Laura Ryback, who has applied for hundreds of jobs since she was laid off from her manufacturing job in February 2008.

"I think for every job you send in an app for, I think there are hundreds (applying) because there are so many people out of work right now and it's awful hard to find a job."

The largest employer in Zeeland announced Tuesday it bought the old Invensys Controls plant, 11768 James St., in Holland Township, which will allow the company to ability to increase capacity by 20% in the upcoming year.

Gentex officials told 24 Hour News 8 the auto industry came back faster than anybody expected. In 2008, the company slashed almost 400 jobs.

But it's been slowly adding them back.

Gentex is looking to fill 140 manufacturing positions and 100 engineering jobs. Some of those new hires will work in that Holland Township plant and assemble a portion of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors. The company also makes camera-based active-safety systems for the automotive industry, commercial fire protection products and dimmable aircraft windows.

"As those are introduced on new vehicle models, our growth has been significantly stronger than the overall global automotive industry," said Gentex Senior Vice President Enoch Jen.

The details aren't quite ironed out, but company officials feel confident they'll make it work.

"If we had all the open positions filled with people today, we don't have enough space," said Gentex Human Relations Vice President Bruce Los. "So to do the math, to say, will they be here or there, we'll be ramping up over the next couple months and balancing as we go."

That gives hope to Ryback.

"It builds up your hope, not saying you're going to get the job, but just to get an interview and get in the door build up your hope and gives you a chance."

Gentex will hold a career fair at Holland's Doubletree Hotel, 650 E. 24th St., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 8.

The plant is expected to be fully operational by March.

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