Models & Tools Part of a Channel 7 WXYZ Television Special
Spotlight on Michigan Business
Friday March 27, 2009
Shelby Twp., Michigan – Models & Tools takes part in the Channel 7 WXYZ Television special that aired on Thursday March 26, 2009. Interviews were taken with both Jeff Cunningham and Phil Neale.
Models & Tools Announces Move & Expansion
Friday February 6, 2009
Troy, Michigan - After 35 years in Troy, Models & Tools chief executive officer, Jeff Cunningham, announced the company’s plans to relocate its operations to Shelby Township, Michigan. Models & Tools, founded in 1974 as an automotive modeling and fixture manufacturer, has evolved into a designer and manufacturer of aerospace tooling. The company needed to expand its facilities in order to allow them to build the large assembly tools that are required within this industry and has signed a fifteen year lease on its new facility, with occupancy taking place on March 1, 2009. This climate controlled, high bay facility with 115,000 square feet of office and manufacturing space represents a 150% expansion compared to the company’s current facilities.
Models & Tools, which is ITAR registered and certified to both AS9100 and ISO9001-2000, will now be able to compete in a very select market, said Phil Neale, the company’s president and chief operating officer. “For the last half of my twenty three years at Models & Tools, our customers, who come to us for our exceptional quality and delivery; have encouraged us to expand our facilities and capabilities to enable them to use us for the large tooling that has become the norm in the aerospace industry. I am pleased to say that we are now ready and able to compete in this market. With the additional, climate controlled footage available in our new facility, and the multiple crane bays with twenty-eight feet under hook, there is now no tool or project that is too large for us to handle.”
On Tuesday, February 3rd, Governor Jennifer Granholm announced that the Michigan Economic Growth Authority had approved a state tax credit valued at $2 million over ten years to help with Models & Tools expansion plans, with Shelby Township offering five years of personal property tax abatement in support of the project. "This is exactly the kind of company we want to lure to Shelby Township," said Trustee Michael Flynn. "These are the kinds of jobs we want here in Shelby. They are engineering and skilled-trade types of jobs."
In regard to the tax savings, Cunningham added, “They will allow us to offer our customers the same excellence that they are used to at more competitive pricing, which will allow us to expand our work force with the additional projects we will be awarded. It’s a win for all involved; our customers, the state of Michigan, Shelby Township, and Models & Tools.”
Models & Tools, which recently received an award for excellence, is considered one of the premier tooling suppliers in the country by all the major manufacturers of commercial, space, and defense aircraft.
