The Toledo Molding & Die plant in Tiffin will keep operating under new ownership, ending nearly three months of uncertainty for hundreds of Northwest Ohio manufacturing workers.
JVIS, a Michigan-based automotive supplier, announced Friday that it has acquired the Toledo Molding & Die (TMD) operations in Tiffin and Bowling Green through its affiliate TNJ Ohio, LLC, doing business as JVIS Ohio. The deal retains 629 manufacturing jobs across the two facilities, according to JobsOhio.
The acquisition closes out a Chapter 11 sale process for the plants, which were owned by First Brands Group. First Brands filed for bankruptcy protection in September 2025 and announced on Feb. 27, 2026, that it would permanently close the Tiffin plant on April 30, eliminating 407 jobs, along with the Bowling Green facility, which employed about 302 workers. A U.S. bankruptcy judge approved the JVIS sale this week.
What JVIS said about the deal
JVIS framed the transaction as its entry point into Ohio manufacturing.
“This acquisition represents an important milestone for JVIS as we establish our first manufacturing operations in Ohio,” said David Robinson, vice president of external affairs for JVIS. “TMD brings experienced employees, strong customer relationships, and manufacturing capabilities that align extremely well with our long-term strategy and operational approach. We are excited to build upon that foundation and continue supporting customers from these facilities.”
JVIS President Jason Murar said the acquired plants expand the company’s reach into automotive interior systems and engineered plastics.
“JVIS has built its reputation on being fast, flexible, and responsive to the needs of our customers,” Murar said. “This acquisition strengthens our manufacturing footprint and expands our ability to deliver high-quality automotive interior and plastics solutions while continuing to support our OEM partners.”
The company said its immediate focus will be on operational continuity, customer support, employee transition, and long-term stability at the acquired plants.
State and regional officials weigh in
Gov. Mike DeWine pointed to the workforce as the central factor in the deal.
“JVIS’ acquisition of the Bowling Green and Tiffin facilities demonstrates the confidence it has in Ohio’s exceptional automotive talent,” DeWine said. “This investment will maintain the proven workforce at both plants, keeping those families, their communities, and JVIS on track for future success.”
JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef said the outcome reflected coordinated work between state, regional, and local officials.
“Retaining 629 highly skilled manufacturing jobs in Tiffin and Bowling Green is a significant win for Northwest Ohio, where JVIS recognizes the strength of the automotive industry and a deep, experienced workforce,” Nauseef said.
JVIS said it is working with JobsOhio, the Regional Growth Partnership, Seneca County Collaborative, and Bowling Green Economic Development on incentives tied to a long-term commitment to the region. Any approved incentives will be made public after agreements are executed, the company said.
Local response
Bryce Riggs, president and CEO of the Seneca County Collaborative, said the deal protects a long-established part of the Tiffin manufacturing base.
“This is a significant outcome for the employees, families, and manufacturing base that have long been part of the Tiffin community,” Riggs said. “The collaborative efforts between JVIS, OEM partners, JobsOhio, the Regional Growth Partnership, and local leadership helped create a path forward that supports continued operations and long-term opportunity for the community.”
Chase Eikenbary, vice president of project management at the Regional Growth Partnership, said the outcome extended beyond the two plants. “The continuation of these operations is significant not only for Northwest Ohio, but for the broader automotive manufacturing ecosystem across the region,” he said.
Kati Thompson, executive director of Bowling Green Economic Development, said the announcement “provides stability for employees, families, and the broader manufacturing community connected to the Bowling Green operation.”
How the plants got here
TMD has operated since 1955 and grew into a Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive supplier producing interior components and air and fluid management systems. The company changed hands several times in the past decade. Grammer AG bought TMD in 2018 for $271 million and sold the operations to APC Parent LLC — with First Brands Group as guarantor — for $40 million in September 2024.
First Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy roughly a year later, in September 2025. The company’s founder, Patrick James, and his brother Edward James were indicted on federal fraud charges in January 2026; prosecutors alleged a scheme involving fake invoices, falsified financials, and billions in hidden liabilities. Both have pleaded not guilty and are out on bond. A cooperating witness, former executive Peter Andrew Brumbergs, pleaded guilty in January.
The bankruptcy court’s approval of the JVIS sale gives the Tiffin and Bowling Green operations a new owner outside the First Brands estate.
What comes next
JVIS said it plans to use its engineering, tooling, molding, validation, manufacturing, assembly, and sequencing capabilities to support operations and customer programs at the two Ohio plants. The company said employee transition is among its immediate priorities.
The Toledo Molding & Die plant in Tiffin will keep operating under new ownership, ending nearly three months of uncertainty for hundreds of Northwest Ohio manufacturing workers. JVIS, a Michigan based automotive supplier, announced Friday that it has acquired the Toledo Molding & Die (TMD) operations in Tiffin and Bowling Green through its affiliate TNJ Ohio, LLC, doing business as JVIS Ohio. The deal retains 629 manufacturing jobs across the two facilities, according to JobsOhio. The acquisition closes out a Chapter 11 sale process for the plants, which were owned by First Brands Group. First Brands filed for bankruptcy protection in September 2025 and announced on Feb. 27, 2026, that it would permanently close the Tiffin plant on April 30, eliminating 407 jobs, along with the Bowling Green facility, which employed about 302 workers. A U.S. bankruptcy judge approved the JVIS sale this week. What JVIS said about the deal JVIS framed the transaction as its entry point into Ohio manufacturing. "This acquisition represents an important milestone for JVIS as we establish our first manufacturing operations in Ohio," said David Robinson, vice president of external affairs for JVIS. "TMD brings experienced employees, strong customer relationships, and manufacturing capabilities that align extremely well with our long term strategy and operational approach. We are excited to build upon that foundation and continue supporting customers from these facilities." JVIS President Jason Murar said the acquired plants expand the company's reach into automotive interior systems and engineered plastics. "JVIS has built its reputation on being fast, flexible, and responsive to the needs of our customers," Murar said. "This acquisition strengthens our manufacturing footprint and expands our ability to deliver high quality automotive interior and plastics solutions while continuing to support our OEM partners." The company said its immediate focus will be on operational continuity, customer support, employee transition, and long term stability at the acquired plants. State and regional officials weigh in Gov. Mike DeWine pointed to the workforce as the central factor in the deal. "JVIS' acquisition of the Bowling Green and Tiffin facilities demonstrates the confidence it has in Ohio's exceptional automotive talent," DeWine said. "This investment will maintain the proven workforce at both plants, keeping those families, their communities, and JVIS on track for future success." JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef said the outcome reflected coordinated work between state, regional, and local officials. "Retaining 629 highly skilled manufacturing jobs in Tiffin and Bowling Green is a significant win for Northwest Ohio, where JVIS recognizes the strength of the automotive industry and a deep, experienced workforce," Nauseef said. JVIS said it is working with JobsOhio, the Regional Growth Partnership, Seneca County Collaborative, and Bowling Green Economic Development on incentives tied to a long term commitment to the region. Any approved incentives will be made public after agreements are executed, the company said. Local response Bryce Riggs, president and CEO of the Seneca County Collaborative, said the deal protects a long established part of the Tiffin manufacturing base. "This is a significant outcome for the employees, families, and manufacturing base that have long been part of the Tiffin community," Riggs said. "The collaborative efforts between JVIS, OEM partners, JobsOhio, the Regional Growth Partnership, and local leadership helped create a path forward that supports continued operations and long term opportunity for the community." Chase Eikenbary, vice president of project management at the Regional Growth Partnership, said the outcome extended beyond the two plants. "The continuation of these operations is significant not only for Northwest Ohio, but for the broader automotive manufacturing ecosystem across the region," he said. Kati Thompson, executive director of Bowling Green Economic Development, said the announcement "provides stability for employees, families, and the broader manufacturing community connected to the Bowling Green operation." How the plants got here TMD has operated since 1955 and grew into a Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive supplier producing interior components and air and fluid management systems. The company changed hands several times in the past decade. Grammer AG bought TMD in 2018 for $271 million and sold the operations to APC Parent LLC — with First Brands Group as guarantor — for $40 million in September 2024. First Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy roughly a year later, in September 2025. The company's founder, Patrick James, and his brother Edward James were indicted on federal fraud charges in January 2026; prosecutors alleged a scheme involving fake invoices, falsified financials, and billions in hidden liabilities. Both have pleaded not guilty and are out on bond. A cooperating witness, former executive Peter Andrew Brumbergs, pleaded guilty in January. The bankruptcy court's approval of the JVIS sale gives the Tiffin and Bowling Green operations a new owner outside the First Brands estate. What comes next JVIS said it plans to use its engineering, tooling, molding, validation, manufacturing, assembly, and sequencing capabilities to support operations and customer programs at the two Ohio plants. The company said employee transition is among its immediate priorities.
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