Amway Expanding Manufacturing in Michigan Due to High Vitamin Demand

May 23, 2012

Company employs more than 4,000 in the state and new facility will add 200 more jobs.

Amway is investing nearly $180 million to significantly expand its U.S. manufacturing and processing capacity to meet growing global demand for its top-selling NUTRILITE brand of vitamin, mineral and dietary supplements.

This investment includes a new $81 million nutrition plant at the company's Spaulding Avenue site in Ada, Michigan, near Amway World Headquarters. The new plant is expected to create 200 jobs over the next three years.

One incentive that played a key role in the selection of Michigan for the expansion was a $1.6 million Michigan Business Development Program incentive from the Michigan Strategic Fund to support construction of this nutrition products manufacturing facility for Access Business Group LLC, an affiliate of Amway.

"Amway, with more than 4,000 employees currently in Michigan, is a major employer in our state and its decision to expand here says much about our improved business climate," said Michigan Economic Development president and CEO Michael A. Finney. "Amway's continued commitment sends a message that will be heard around the world that Michigan's highly competitive business climate and tremendous workforce capabilities mean real opportunities for leading edge businesses."

Nutrition product sales last year accounted for 45%, or $4.7 billion, of Amway sales. Alticor, parent company to Amway and Access Business Group LLC, reported 2011 sales of $10.9 billion.

The overall investment involves four operations, including two facilities that will produce nutrition products for Amway in Michigan for the first time:

Ada, Mich. - Spaulding Avenue site: New nutrition soft gels and tablet manufacturing operation. Investment: $81 million. Jobs: 50 at start-up, 200 anticipated over a three-year period.
Ada, Mich.- World Headquarters complex: A new nutrition powder products plant unveiled February 15 is expected to start production this year. Investment: $24 million. Jobs: 50
Buena Park, Calif.: Scheduled for 2012 construction, project includes a new granulation facility to support tablet manufacturing; new research and development facilities and pilot laboratories; and a two-story professional office building. Total investment: $42 million. Jobs: No change.
Quincy, Wash.: Announced April 2, a new extraction and concentration operation for ingredients grown at the company's organic farm operations in nearby Trout Lake. Investment: $31.8 million. Jobs: 30

About the Author

Edited Adrienne Selko

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Email: [email protected]

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Senior Editor Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at MH&L and EHS Today.

Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank.

She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.