DMP spends $4M+ for expansion project

Defiance Metal Products (DMP), a privately-owned full-service metal stamper, fabricator, and painter, is investing over $4 million in a 7,500 square foot expansion at its Defiance North plant location on State Route 66 North.

McDonald Construction Inc., based in Defiance, is the general contractor for the project. Construction on the expansion project is underway and is expected to be complete by January 2019.

The company manufactures medium volume components and assemblies for the military vehicle, commercial vehicle, construction equipment, and agricultural equipment in the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) markets.

Services provided by the company include laser cutting, CNC blanking, CNC forming, metal stamping, metal fabrication, resistance and robot welding, cellular manufacturing, metal finishing, technical assistance, electronic communications, powder coating, epoxy coating, quality assurance, logistics and packaging, and flexible manufacturing. The company is TS16949:2009 / ISO 9001:2008 certified.

DMP recently installed a 4k fiber laser cutting machine in the plant, with an 8k fiber laser cutting machine expected to be installed in September.

JoEllen Frederick, director of human resources at DMP, noted that the need for the expansion is for more capacity and growth.

“We want to increase our output with automation as well as increasing cut speeds. Through automation and new equipment, the company will be able to increase productivity, thus better serving our customers,” said Frederick.

According to Frederick, DMP employs a total of 950 people and its operational performance in numerous areas of the company sets it apart from others in the industry.

“With the level of growth we are experiencing at DMP, we are planning to add approximately 30 jobs across the company,” said Frederick.

The company serves customers from multiple locations across the United States with certified quality systems. DMP has been in business since 1939, and according to the company, it has received numerous awards for customer quality and service, as well as safety.

DMP has a total of 435,000 square feet of manufacturing space in Ohio, 190,000 square feet of manufacturing space in Arkansas, and 140,000 square feet of manufacturing space in Pennsylvania.