Spain-based automotive supplier Corporación Gestamp will expand its global operations at three Michigan locations after undertaking a competitive comparative site analysis in Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, Tennessee and Mexico.
An international supplier of complex structural stampings and assemblies, including chassis, bumpers, door checks, hinges and pedal boxes, Gestamp has received a total of $1.575 million in Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grants from the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) as an incentive to further develop its world-wide business operations from Michigan.
The performance-based grant is administered by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the state’s marketing and business attraction arm, which also evaluates progress and conducts due diligence on MSF-approved disbursements.
With the planned expansions in Michigan, Gestamp will invest $158 million in its Chelsea and Mason facilities, and an additional $700,000 at its North American headquarters in Troy. In addition, as part of its investment, Gestamp will create 235 jobs in Chelsea and Mason sites while an additional 60 new positions will be created in Troy.
“Gestamp’s decision to expand in Michigan is another significant sign that our state is the global automotive capital and in the forefront in the next chapter of in transportation,” said Governor Rick Snyder. “The combination of world-class talent, proximity to automakers and auto suppliers along with our state’s overall economic health presents a compelling case for Michigan as the place to be for businesses looking to achieve global success.”
For three consecutive years, Michigan has ranked among the top seven U.S. states for major new and expanded facilities, according to Site Selection. In addition, Michigan is the top state for fabricated metal product and primary metal manufacturing, according to the Center for Automotive Research.
Michigan is home to 63 of the top 100 North American automotive suppliers with the largest concentration of automotive-related research-and-development facilities in the nation. Moreover, Michigan is home to Lightweight Innovations for Tomorrow (LIFT) with the mission of assisting Michigan-based automakers and manufacturers to find ways to build high-tech, safer, and cost-and-fuel efficient vehicles.
LIFT shares a 100,000-square-foot innovation acceleration center in Detroit's Corktown district with the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation, a recipient of a $70 million grant last year from the U.S. Department of Energy to fund composites manufacturing research.
“Michigan provides the best environment for us to compete and succeed in our mission to develop lighter, safer, more energy efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles,” Jeff Wilson, president and CEO of Gestamp North America and Asia Pacific. “We take great pride in our innovation and technologies, and are strategically located to benefit from the many advantages of being headquartered in the preeminent automotive-industry state."
Wilson said Gestamp plans to expand operations in Chelsea with a new chassis assembly line, electronic coat paint line, and a press-hardening line with an integrated laser cutting cell in Mason.
Both the cities of Mason and Chelsea have offered support to the project with property tax abatements.
The City of Troy will provide marketing and promotion assistance in support of Gestamp North America expanded headquarters. The metro Detroit suburb was selected over competing sites in the southern U.S. and Mexico.
Ann Arbor SPARK provided support to the project with assistance throughout the process of applying for and obtaining incentives.
Individuals interested in careers with Gestamp North America, please visit www.gestamp.com/people/work-with-us.