There are growing—though still unconfirmed—indications that JR Automation’s Stevensville location could be facing significant changes, potentially including a shutdown or consolidation of operations.
Moody on the Market has received several reports, including one referencing an announcement to employees and a separate confirmation from a source familiar with local commercial real estate activity, suggesting the Stevensville JR facility may be closing, with work—and perhaps jobs– shifting to other company locations. The company has not confirmed any such move, and no official announcement has been made.
A review of the most recent filings with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity shows no WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) notice tied to JR Automation at this time. Such filings are typically required in advance of large-scale layoffs or plant closures.
One of our sources indicated that Stevensville employees were being offered an opportunity to transfer to Holland, which might account for the lack of a WARN notice.
JR Automation, which operates globally and is owned by Hitachi Ltd., has maintained a significant presence in Southwest Michigan for years, including its Stevensville operations. The local facility began as Dane Systems, then was merged into JR and later acquired by Hitachi in 2019.
The situation comes just months after the company announced plans for a new U.S. headquarters project in the Holland/Zeeland area. In September 2025, JR Automation unveiled that major investment in West Michigan, a billion dollar project supported by the State of Michigan and publicly praised by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
At the time, company officials described the new facility as a way to bring together multiple operations and support future growth.
It is not uncommon in such cases for companies to evaluate existing locations as part of broader consolidation strategies, though there has been no prior indication from JR Automation that the Stevensville facility is affected.
Local officials in Berrien County have not publicly commented on any potential changes, and it is unclear how many employees could be impacted if the reports prove accurate. One source unconnected to the company told us that there had been gradual ‘reductions in force’ at Stevensville and that only about 20 workers remained recently. However, that is unofficial and not confirmed by JR Automation.
Moody on the Market has reached out to JR Automation for comment and will update this story as more information becomes available.
