Beverage co-packer Proper Beverage Co. is preparing a major expansion, announcing plans to open a 300,000-square-foot production facility in Kentwood by mid-2026.

The company will continue operating out of its Hudsonville headquarters even after the new plant comes online.

According to CEO Kevin Clement, the Kentwood site will create about 100 jobs when it launches, with another 125 positions expected to be added over the following 12–18 months. Over the next five years, total employment at the new location is projected to reach roughly 400.

The building’s location offers strong advantages for manufacturing and distribution. Its close proximity to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, as well as quick access to M-6 and M-37, were key factors. 

He also praised the city’s infrastructure, noting smooth truck access, high-quality roads and the benefit of being near other industrial and warehouse operations.

In a news release, Proper Beverage explained that the Kentwood expansion will significantly increase its production capabilities to meet rising demand from beverage brands across the country. 

The surrounding transportation network will help support that growth, Clement said, making it easier to move high volumes of product for the company and its customers.

The new facility is being built with capacity to produce 225 million cans annually. This marks a major step forward for the company, underscoring its commitment to U.S. manufacturing and job creation.

Proper Beverage has invested in American-made equipment that expands the range of beverages it can package—including alcoholic drinks, mocktails, sodas, energy beverages and health-focused alternatives. When operating at full scale, the Kentwood site is expected to employ around 400 workers, boosting the region’s manufacturing sector.

“Using equipment made in the U.S. allows us to maintain top-tier production standards while supporting domestic manufacturers,” said Brian Hirsch, the company’s president. “It’s an investment in both quality and our community.”

Sustainability is also a focus for the new operation. The facility will offer recyclable one-way kegs designed to lower transportation costs and reduce water and chemical usage—an environmentally friendlier option for beverage packaging.