Honda supplier to expand in Springfield

Bill Lackey

Bill Lackey

A Japanese auto parts manufacturer will invest $55 million and add 85 jobs at the Champion City Business Park in Springfield, a significant expansion of its original plans for the site.

Topre America first announced in December it would invest $10 million and add 20 jobs to build a Springfield plant to manufacture high-strength steel parts for the Acura MDX.

DETAILS: Honda supplier to open in Springfield, build $10M new plant

Company leaders said Monday they will now make a much bigger investment. The 85 new jobs will include assembly, stamping and light manufacturing positions, and offer an average wage of $19.50 per hour.

Topre will build a 146,000-square-foot facility in the Champion City Business Park, which was once home to an old Navistar factory. The deal announced Monday is contingent on state and local incentives, according to information from the Chamber of Greater Springfield.

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“The Springfield community is the perfect strategic location for us to locate and expand our operations,” said Brad Pepper, vice president of Topre America. “It’s simply a community that wanted our investment and worked with our leadership to make it happen.”

Springfield competed with sites in New York, Mississippi and Tennessee for the project.

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