Gentex Corp., a Tier 1 supplier of products to the automotive, aerospace, and fire protection industries, has recently opened a technology center in downtown Grand Rapids. This move is aimed at attracting and retaining engineering and software talent for the Zeeland-based company.
The new technology center is located on the second floor of 25 Ottawa Ave. SW, which Gentex is leasing from Franklin Partners. The company plans to transfer around 40 team members from Zeeland to help set up the new office, while the remaining space will be filled as Gentex recruits new engineering and software talent from across West Michigan.
With capacity for up to 100 people, the office space also offers access to amenities such as a gym, conference facilities, and a bicycle room. Neil Boehm, Gentex’s chief technology officer, stated that the company continually needs top talent, especially in engineering and software technologists who can support its growing business and expanding product portfolio.
This move by Gentex aligns with the broader effort to establish Grand Rapids as a Midwest tech hub. By leasing office space in downtown Grand Rapids, Gentex aims to attract tech professionals who may prefer working in a vibrant downtown environment. The announcement coincides with Tech Week Grand Rapids, which showcases the region’s tech community through various events.
Randy Thelen, president and CEO of economic development organization The Right Place Inc., expressed excitement about seeing a technology-focused company like Gentex continue to grow in the region. He believes that this expansion will accelerate the development, retention, and attraction of top technology talent to West Michigan.
What is more to this downtown technology center, Gentex recently launched a satellite production facility in Madison Square neighborhood. This facility produces subassembly components for Gentex’s HomeLink product used for operating garage doors and home automation devices.
Gentex is Ottawa County’s largest employer with over 6,000 employees at its main campus in Zeeland and nearby lakefront facilities. The company has been implementing various strategies to attract and retain talent, including the launch of Spanish-language assembly lines for West Michigan’s growing Hispanic community. Gentex also broke ground on a daycare and preschool facility that will provide employees with access to quality and affordable childcare on-site.
This new technology center is another step in Gentex’s efforts to expand its presence and capabilities in Grand Rapids. It reflects the company’s commitment to nurturing a vibrant tech ecosystem in West Michigan.
According to Crain’s Grand Rapids Business, the source of this information, Gentex’s expansion into downtown Grand Rapids is an exciting development for the region’s goal of becoming one of the leading technology hubs in the Midwest.
Source: (Crain’s Grand Rapids Business)(https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/technology/gentex-announces-second-expansion-to-grand-rapids-with-downtown-tech-hub/)
