5 Critical Facts Behind The NPR Grand Haven Plant Closure: The Shockwave Hitting West Michigan Manufacturing

The NPR Grand Haven plant closure is one of the most significant recent events in the West Michigan manufacturing sector, signaling a major shift in the global automotive supply chain. As of today, December 16, 2025, the permanent shutdown of the NPR of America facility is an ongoing process, with the final closure date looming in 2027. This decision, which will eliminate 64 vital jobs, is not a sudden failure but a strategic consolidation following a major corporate merger, reflecting the tumultuous changes facing suppliers of internal combustion engine components. The community is now grappling with the human and economic impact of losing a long-time industrial fixture.

The facility, located in Grand Haven Township, has been a steady employer for years, but its fate was sealed by a global restructuring effort. Understanding the timeline and the corporate strategy of the parent company, NPR-Riken Corporation, is key to grasping why this specific plant was selected for closure and what it means for the future of manufacturing jobs in Ottawa County.

NPR of America, Inc. and NPR-Riken Corporation: A Corporate Profile

The Grand Haven plant was operated by NPR of America Incorporated (NOA), the U.S. subsidiary of a major Japanese automotive component manufacturer. Here is a brief profile of the entities involved:

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• Company Name (U.S. Subsidiary): NPR of America Incorporated (NOA)
• Parent Company (Original): Nippon Piston Ring Company Limited
• Current Parent Company: NPR-Riken Corporation (formed in 2023)
• Industry: Automotive Component Manufacturing (Engine Parts)
• Key Products: Piston Rings, Valve Seat Inserts, Cylinder Liners, and other precision engine components.
• Grand Haven Location: 11118 US Highway 31, Grand Haven, Michigan 49417
• Start of Operations in Grand Haven: The facility was a longtime industrial presence in Grand Haven Township.
• Remaining U.S. Operations: One manufacturing facility in Bardstown, Kentucky, and a sales/administrative office in Novi, Michigan.

The closure is a direct consequence of the 2023 merger between Nippon Piston Ring and Riken, which created the new entity, NPR-Riken Corporation. The new company's strategy is centered on optimizing its global production footprint, leading to the consolidation of manufacturing functions away from the Grand Haven site.

The Definitive Timeline and Impact of Job Losses

The closure of the Grand Haven facility is not an immediate shutdown but a phased elimination of jobs stretching over two and a half years. This extended timeline, detailed in the official WARN Notice (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act) filed with the state of Michigan, provides a clear, albeit difficult, schedule for the affected employees.

Phase-by-Phase Job Elimination Schedule

The official notification outlined the specific dates for the workforce reduction, impacting a total of 64 employees who are not represented by a labor union.

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• Total Jobs Affected: 64 employees.
• First Wave of Layoffs: A significant portion of the workforce, approximately 50 employees, were scheduled to be laid off before December 23 of the year the announcement was made (late 2024/early 2025).
• Final Permanent Closure Date: The entire plant is scheduled to cease all operations permanently by February 28, 2027.

This extended timeline is a double-edged sword. While it gives employees more time to seek new employment and training, it also creates prolonged uncertainty for those remaining until the final closure date. The phased reduction allows the company to systematically transfer the Grand Haven production functions to other sites without immediately disrupting its supply commitments to major automotive clients.

The Merged Strategy: Why Grand Haven Was Chosen

The decision to close the Michigan plant is a microcosm of the broader shifts occurring in the global automotive parts industry. The primary drivers are corporate consolidation and the industry-wide pivot toward electric vehicles (EVs), which fundamentally changes the demand for traditional engine components.

1. Production Optimization Post-Merger

The formation of the NPR-Riken Corporation in 2023 was a move to create a more competitive and streamlined global entity. The new management determined that consolidating the manufacturing of products like piston rings and compression rings into fewer, more efficient locations would "optimize production." The Grand Haven facility, despite its long history, was deemed redundant in this new, leaner structure. The remaining U.S. operations in Bardstown, Kentucky, and the office in Novi, Michigan, will absorb the remaining strategic functions.

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2. The Looming Shadow of the EV Transition

While not explicitly cited as the sole reason, the closure is undeniably linked to the automotive industry's accelerating shift toward electrification. NPR of America specializes in components for internal combustion engines (ICE). As original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like Ford, GM, and Stellantis scale up EV production, the long-term demand for traditional engine parts like valve seat inserts and piston rings is projected to decline sharply. Manufacturing companies in the West Michigan manufacturing sector are increasingly facing difficult decisions to diversify or consolidate their ICE-focused operations.

3. Concentration of U.S. Manufacturing

By keeping the Kentucky plant as the sole U.S. production facility, NPR-Riken is centralizing its remaining American manufacturing base. This strategy allows for easier management of the supply chain and may position the Kentucky site for future investment or retooling to support new product lines, potentially for hybrid or next-generation engine technology, while eliminating the operational costs of the Grand Haven Township location.

Resources and Support for Affected Employees

The loss of 64 jobs is a blow to the local economy of Grand Haven and Ottawa County. Fortunately, employees affected by a WARN Act notice in Michigan have access to several state-level programs designed to ease the transition.

• Dislocated Worker Services: Affected employees are eligible for services through local workforce development partners, such as Michigan Works!, which provides career counseling, job search assistance, and access to retraining programs.
• Unemployment Benefits: Employees who lose their jobs through no fault of their own are eligible for unemployment insurance benefits. The state's Employer Filed Claims program can simplify the process of filing for these benefits.
• The Work Share Program: While the plant is closing, for any periods of temporary reduction in hours prior to the final layoff date, the Work Share program allows employees to receive partial unemployment benefits to supplement their reduced wages, helping to stabilize their income during the phased shutdown.

The closure serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing volatility in the automotive supply chain. For the workers of NPR of America, the focus is now on leveraging these support systems to transition their valuable manufacturing skills into new opportunities within the resilient West Michigan industrial landscape.