HOLLAND, MI — In a community known for its tulip festivals, wooden shoes, and Dutch heritage, the sound of heat pumps rolling off an assembly line should do little to change the ambience. It should, however, change the fortunes of Mammoth, Inc.

The manufacturer of water source heat pumps showed off its new western Michigan facility during a recent open house. The 45,000-sq-ft plant went on line in mid-June and will be producing several standard and custom-sized heat pump units. Mammoth, based in Chaska, MN, has been building water source heat pumps since 1994. They also specialize in custom-sized units and up to 30-ton units, too.

Mammoth hopes to add to its 60-employee staff with the help of the local population. Despite being steeped in Dutch ancestry, the area is now home to many different ethnic groups. Plant manager Dan Titcombe hopes to find some qualified workers among these groups.

“We are constantly looking for qualified people,” he said. “We want to get to the level of 70-90 units a day but we need more help. We’re not there yet because of there is definitely a shortage of qualified labor.”

“We are growing at a faster rate than the market,” said Craig Fishbach, director of packaged products. “We are already evaluating expansion.”