ADRIAN — People here are family.

That maxim was borne out by the OPmobility employees who flocked to the West Beecher Street plant July 10 to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

Over its three decades in Adrian, the company has operated under different names, but one thing has remained constant: the “can-do” attitude of its employees.

“I believe Adrian’s ‘can-do’ attitude has been instilled since day one,” Plant Manager David Frederick said. “The biggest thing that has set Adrian apart is our ability to win — again, that ‘can-do’ attitude. The other thing for me is the continuous improvement of our facility.”

Adrian is often among the first plants asked to implement new automation or product development, he added, “because we will do it and we will succeed.”

The plant manufactures fuel tanks for Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, although Industrial and Continuous Improvement Manager Pericles Grivanos said its business is heavily concentrated in GM products. The Adrian plant also manufactures DEF-storage tanks for diesel exhaust systems to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.

“We have about 300 employees,” Grivanos said. “We make fuel tanks and ship them out with the fuel pumps, hoses and heat shields so that they are ready to install when they arrive at the assembly plants.”

The plant will launch a fuel-tank line for Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups in November.

Plant Controller Eric Salenbien said Adrian was OPmobility’s first North American facility to add twin-sheet blow molding and shell-to-shell welding for its fuel-storage systems.

“We’re the first facility to have a robotic helium load,” he said.

Adrian is also among the company’s initial U.S. sites working on hydrogen-power technology, with knowledge gained in Michigan expected to transfer to the European market.

Built in 1996 as a Solvay Automotive facility, the plant later became part of INERGY Automotive Systems and then Plastic Omnium. The France-based supplier adopted the OPmobility name in 2024 as it expanded into lighting, electrification, hydrogen and other mobility technologies.

Nine massive blow-molding machines tower above the plant floor. Salenbien, who began working there as a co-op student in 1999, said the plant produced its 38 millionth fuel tank in March.

It now averages about 1.4 million tanks annually, with production expected to reach 1.9 million within the next few years. Three shifts operate five days a week.

“This team will run through a brick wall to create a safe and quality part for our customers,” Frederick said.

“It’s a family,” Salenbien added. “If someone is sick or struggling with health issues, the plant comes together very quickly. They organize bake sales, build ramps and organize bowlathons. They do whatever it takes to help their fellow team members.”

Frederick said that philosophy reflects the values of the Burelle family, the majority shareholder of OPmobility.

“Things might change out in the market and we adjust,” he said, “but one thing that has never changed for them is their care for the people.”