Hydro expands in Cassopolis nearly one year after opening

 

CASSOPOLIS, Mich.--- Not even a year after opening, Hydro Cassopolis is already expanding, adding a Hydro Aluminum Technology Center (HATC) to the facility.

"One of the main things we do here at the lab is support for our production facilities," said Duncan Pitchford, president of Hydro Aluminum Metals USA. "So, we do testing to make sure that, as you say, the product going out the door is what it should be."

More specifically, Hydro is moving their lab from Zeeland, Michigan, to be closer to the recycling plant.

ABC57's Annie Kate got a firsthand look inside the nearly $5 million investment.

"Very happy to be here in Cassopolis," Pitchford said, "and having this lab here provides a real foundation for us to continue to support potential future growth."

The Norwegian company is expanding its reach in North America. The United States exports much of its scrap aluminum without the proper infrastructure to sort it, so that's where Hydro comes in, giving that aluminum scrap new life here at home.

The recycling plant takes pre- and post-consumer aluminum scrap, melts it down, and creates cylinders, also called billets, extrusion ingots, or "logs".

"It looks like big logs of aluminum," Pitchford said. "Those go to our customers, and they get transformed into everything from a window frame to the bumper on the front of your car."

Hydro Cassopolis primarily makes products for the automotive industries, he said, but they're looking to keep expanding!

"The thing that we're really sort of stepping up with this new facility is on the R&D side, so designing new products," Pitchford said.

And so far, they seem to be a welcome neighbor in the Village of Cassopolis.

"This is not an opportunity that happens in small rural communities very often, and so we are thrilled they chose us and continue to choose us with every expansion," said Village Manager Emily LaGrow.

She said downtown Cassopolis is "once again thriving."

"Not only is there tax dollars here, but it's the sustainability, opportunity and growth for the residents of this county," she said.

Additionally, the company is fulfilling its promise to bring jobs to the area.

"Not even a year since the ribbon cutting of the main plant, here in Cassopolis, Hydro has already met their commitment of 70 jobs, most have been filled here locally," LaGrow said.

Pitchford said Hydro's recycled aluminum is the lowest carbon-footprint aluminum in the industry, and the lab can only bolster their energy efficiency and carbon goals.