Jet-driven: Aerospace parts company expanding plant

This rendering gives an aerial view of how Moeller Aerospace’s Harbor Springs plant would appear from the southwest with a planned building addition in place.

HARBOR SPRINGS — An aerospace manufacturer’s recently launched expansion project at its Harbor Springs plant is expected to bring growth in its workforce along with the building footprint.

Work began roughly a month ago toward enlarging Moeller Aerospace’s facility, located off West Conway Road at 8725 Moeller Drive. The company produces machined parts used in jet engines — with a customer base that includes major engine manufacturers such as General Electric, Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney. It also provides parts for use in electrical power generating equipment, supplying manufacturers such as Siemens and PSM.

A 67,000-square-foot addition will nearly double the plant’s area, allowing additional production resources to be phased in over several years. The plant’s headcount recently stood at about 226 employees — including several hired in connection with the expansion project — and company officials expect that will increase to around 260 once the production increases are fully implemented. Plans are in the works to add about 80 pieces of production equipment at the plant.

“This is a multimillion-dollar investment,” said Moeller plant manager Dave Davidson.

The company is taking steps to reconfigure its plant site to allow for the plant expansion, such as creating new parking areas and relocating part of a warehouse building on the property. Company officials hope to have the plant addition framed in by November, and aim for it to be ready for occupancy by April 2018.

Davidson noted that growing demand for commercial jets is helping drive the expansion, with aircraft operators looking to update aging fleets.

“We’re expanding existing and adding new product lines,” the plant manager said.

Ironwood Construction of Petoskey is a key contractor for Moeller’s building project. Several Harbor Springs firms, including Harbor Springs Excavating, FAH Architecture and Stockton Architecture and Development, are other examples of other local companies involved in the project.

“Our plan is to use as many local contractors as possible,” Davidson said.

Headquartered in downstate Wixom, Moeller Aerospace has roots in a company known as Moeller Manufacturing, which was founded in 1954. The company has had a presence in Harbor Springs since the 1970s. To learn more about Moeller Aerospace, see www.moeller-aerospace.com.

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