German automotive company awards contract to Michigan supplier

DEUTZ Corporation, the largest independent diesel engine manufacturer in the world, has awarded a $16 million contract to a Farmington Hills-based automotive supplier through the Pure Michigan Business Connect program

LANSING, Mich. – DEUTZ Corporation, the largest independent diesel engine manufacturer in the world, has awarded a $16 million contract to a Farmington Hills-based automotive supplier through the Pure Michigan Business Connect program, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced today. 

“This contract between a world class engine manufacturer and a Michigan auto supplier demonstrates how our economic gardening strategy is working to grow our state’s economy,” said MEDC President and CEO Michael A. Finney. “The Pure Michigan Business Connect program is an innovative way for government to help Michigan businesses to find new opportunities for growth through market-based solutions.” 

DEUTZ Corporation initially connected with PKC Group at a Detroit Regional Chamber Connection Point supplier summit event in 2011. Since then, MEDC has partnered with the Detroit Regional Chamber to merge the Chamber’s Connection Point program with PMBC, creating a strategic partnership to undertake a series of exclusive purchaser-supplier matchmaking engagements that provide procurement opportunities to Michigan vendors. 

DEUTZ Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of DEUTZ AG, supplying the U.S. construction, off-highway and static power market with diesel engines to the latest EPA required emission standards with a range of engines from 2.9 liter to 16 liter. 

“DEUTZ Corporation is delighted to announce the partnership with PKC for the supply of wiring harnesses,” said Nick Price, senior buyer – foreign sourcing office for Deutz Corporation. “As we have expanded our manufacturing facilities and capacity in order to meet the increasing demand of our customers, so the need for supply chain partners has increased both in capacity requirements and in manufacturing capability and performance.” 

PKC Group designs, manufactures and integrates electrical distribution systems, electronics and related architecture components for the commercial vehicle industry and other segments. The company has two business areas: wiring systems and electronics. 

“We’re excited by our partnership with the DEUTZ Corporation, and we look forward to servicing its needs in an exemplary manner,” said Marty Hughes, Customer Executive - East & Midwest Regions - for the PKC Group. “We truly appreciate the work of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which brought our two companies together and endeavored to highlight the economic advantages of our working with each other. We salute the efforts of the MEDC staff for a job well done.” 

MEDC and the Detroit Regional Chamber have conducted supplier summits with 35 other companies since joining forces in January. On July 11, Blue Cross Blue Shield hosted a PMBC supplier event in Detroit, drawing 160 Michigan-based suppliers looking to land a procurement deal with the Blues. In March Ford Motor Company led a PMBC supplier summit, resulting in 680 unique meetings with 317 Michigan suppliers. Future PMBC matchmaking summits will take place on an ongoing basis. More information on this and related PMBC partners can be found at www.puremichiganb2b.com. 

Launched in 2011, Pure Michigan Business Connect is a public-private alliance of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, state agencies and major Michigan companies and organizations that connects in-state companies to business resources. 

Companies can find new ways to raise capital, get access to professional business services at little or no cost, connect with each other through a new business-to-business network, and identify potential supplier opportunities, while developing resources to improve their supply chains. 

Pure Michigan is a brand on the rise, representing business, talent and tourism initiatives across Michigan. These efforts are driven by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which serves as the state’s marketing arm and lead agency for business growth, jobs and opportunity with a focus on helping grow Michigan’s economy. 

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.