R.W. LaPine Expands Kalamazoo County-Berrien County, Michigan, Production Operations

Area Development News Desk

08/14/2026

Mechanical contracting and metal fabrication company R.W. LaPine, Inc. plans to expand its operations in Kalamazoo County and Berrien County, Michigan. The $9.5 million project is expected to create at least 70 new jobs.

The investment will include an additional approximately 42,000 square feet at the company’s existing Comstock Township headquarters as well as an additional roughly 10,000 square feet at the company’s existing St. Joseph facility.

“R.W. LaPine is grateful to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Southwest Michigan First for their support of our continued investment in Michigan,” said Ryan LaPine, President and CEO of R.W. LaPine, Inc. “This project will expand our capacity and capabilities across our entire organization, from our Service Group to our Fabrication operations, allowing us to better serve our customers throughout Southwest Michigan while expanding our footprint into new markets.”

To support the project, R.W. LaPine received a $345,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.

“We congratulate R.W. LaPine on this important expansion and for their continued investment into Southwest Michigan. Projects like this are how regions continue to build economic momentum. R.W. LaPine's $9.5 million investment and creation of 70 new jobs strengthens our regional skilled trades workforce pipeline while adding capacity across key industries,” noted Southwest Michigan First Interim CEO Carla Sones. “Southwest Michigan First is thankful to work with great partners like Cornerstone Alliance, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to help impactful projects like this come to life.”

R.W. LaPine specializes in mechanical contracting, metal fabrication and HVAC services.

“R.W. LaPine's decision to grow in the City of St. Joseph reflects what's possible when partners pull in the same direction,” added Marla Schneider, President and CEO of Cornerstone Alliance. “Cornerstone is proud to work alongside Southwest Michigan First and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to demonstrate true partnership, the kind that keeps a fourth-generation Michigan company investing here and creating good-paying jobs in our community."

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