Access to General Motors is the prime reason Inteva Products located in Northeast Indiana.
Inteva Products is known in the automotive industry for its innovation and big ideas. The company specializes in the technology that many of us take for granted in our cars and trucks, things like door latches, instrument panels, sunroof motors and window regulators.
Based in Troy, Michigan, Inteva has manufacturing facilities across the globe, including China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, The Netherlands, Romania and Slovakia. Company executives believe it’s important to be located close to their customers, who can be found all around the world, including Northeast Indiana. It’s why they’re investing heavily in setting up shop in what may seem like an unlikely place: a small town in Wells County.
“Bluffton met all our requirements to support our complex manufacturing needs, increase our presence in the Midwest and align with General Motors’ preference to have their supply base close to their facilities,” said Plant Manager Mark Ellerbrock.
Inteva is converting a warehouse into a huge manufacturing facility that currently employs 90 people, with plans to add hundreds more in the near future.
“We have two different assembly plants that we’re launching. First is a light-duty version, and that’s in March and May of next year,” Ellerbrock said. “When we get to that point, we’re going to have around 280 employees. The second half of the second plant and the third assembly plant will open in April of 2023. At that time, we will be at full volume or around 480 employees.”
The whole region will benefit as the plants reach full capacity since most of the new workers will come from about a 30-mile radius of Bluffton.
“It’s really been great,” stressed Ellerbrock. “The Bluffton community has been incredible. The mayor’s office and the chamber have been really helpful in any way they can support us. It’s great to have that personal relationship in a small community. We’re just really excited to offer a great place to work.”
