Bosal is expanding production in their 250,000 square foot Ypsilanti Township plant.

Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com

An Ypsilanti Township auto supplier is continuing to expand its operation and plans to add more workers and shifts in the coming year.

Bosal North America’s plant on Seaver Way in Ypsilanti Township produces exhaust systems for the JK Jeep Wrangler, Buick Verano and Chevy Cruze.

The plant recently landed a contract to produce exhaust systems for General Motors' Cruze, necessitating the addition of more production lines in the plant.

The plant migrated to Ypsilanti Township from Warren in 2007 and grew from 65 hourly workers on the floor producing 5,000 units to 209 workers producing 28,000 units in 2011. Officials expect to add another 25 jobs with the expansion.

The plant’s manager, Bruce Wagar, said the Belgian-owned company struggled like every other company during the worst period of the economic downturn, but has rebounded. Bosal, which is self-financed and doesn't have any debt, will greatly benefit from landing the Cruze contract, he said.

“We’ve kind of turned the page on recovery now that automotive industry is picking up,” he said. “We’re definitely on the move as far as becoming a strong employer in Ypsilanti Township.”

The Township Board of Trustees approved the creation of an industrial development district around the plant in June. That allows the company to seek an industrial exemption certificate, which is essentially a 50 percent tax abatement for Bosal’s real property taxes for up to 12 years. The company is planning to invest $5.1 million on the investment.

The board can approve the abatement for fewer years if they desire, and there will be a public meeting on the question at the township's regular Oct. 18 meeting. Township planning coordinator Joe Lawson said such incentives are standard throughout the country in luring and retaining industrial companies.

Wagar said Bosal plans to meet with economic development group Ann Arbor SPARK to discuss what state or federal dollars might be available for worker training, retooling or other programs.

Township Clerk Karen Lovejoy Roe said Bosal's success is an excellent example of a private-public partnership. Bosal purchased its property from the township, and the township sold bonds to install its infrastructure, including roads, water and sewer. Taxes the township collects from Bosal help repay the bond.

"It is exciting to see the investment of township taxpayers more than pay off with increased taxes to the township and, equally as important, the creation of good-paying jobs," she said.

Lovejoy-Roe said the township is "blessed" to have Bosal operating and growing there.

"They are a union facility that employs a lot of people at a good wage, and their presence is so very important to our community," she said. "Bosal ... not only survived our recent auto and economic crisis, but are now in the growth mode. This bodes well for Ypsilanti Township, our taxpayers and all those who have businesses in our community, because with employees comes a demand for services, food, the need for gas and all things we all spend our dollars on daily."

She said the township has seen several industrial companies expand over the past year, with several parties recently expressing interest in the former GM plant and the newly created aerotropolis bringing business to the community.

"It appears that things are beginning to take a turn for the better in our township," she said.