80 new jobs thanks to a $10 million investment

The investment of $10.2 million by the Yen Group into a closed manufacturing facility in the city of Port Huron's industrial park could mean 80 new jobs for the area.

The company will be focusing on reopening the facility, located at 2340 Dove Street, which will be used for fulfilling purchase orders of engine blocks, heads and other engine components.

“We are pleased to announce the launch of Yen Group, LLC in Port Huron, Michigan," says David Yen, the company's president. "Our goal is simple, to restore the operations that once thrived in this facility and create new job growth for the community. Our employees at Yen Group are our most important assets and we look forward to creating a world class manufacturing foundation with them."

The Yen Group will also be a recipient of a $400,000 performance-based grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. This grant, according to a press release from the St. Clair County EDA, was one of the reasons the company chose Port Huron over a location in Indiana where the Yen Group has an engine remanufacturing site.

The company will not receive those grants until the jobs have been created, which is expected to happen over the next three years.

Mike Barnes has been hired as the plant manager. He was formerly with Royal Oak Boring, which closed its doors in Port Huron earlier in 2016.

"My talks with the Yen family started in May 2016, as I presented possible plans to restore the operations in Port Huron and retain the core team that has worked together for decades," Barnes says. "It is with great pride that we have been very successful on every level thus far.  Michigan employees have the work ethic, spirit and technical ability to bounce back in any situation, and thanks to the Yen family we have done that and more.”   

The investment into the dormant manufacturing plant is huge, says U.S. Representative Candice Miller, who applauded the grant and the potential jobs coming to Port Huron.

“The reopening of the Yen Group’s manufacturing plant in Port Huron underscores the continued resurgence of our domestic auto industry,” Miller says. “ … The Yen Group’s more than $10 million investment is a welcome economic boon for the entire region.”

If you're interested in a possibly career with the Yen Group, email your resume to careers@yengroup.us. A job fair is also expected to be set up for those interested in applying for positions.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: St. Clair County EDA