Five companies expanding, adding jobs in SE Michigan

•Developments will generate private investment of $33.5 million, create 444 jobs •Projects underscore strength of state’s manufacturing, IT talent •Announcements coincide with Michigan Manufacturing Week

LANSING, Mich. – Five business expansions that will generate a total of $33.5 million in private investment and create 444 jobs in Southeast Michigan have received support from the Michigan Strategic Fund, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced today.

“The projects approved by MSF today underscore Michigan's business-friendly environment and the strength of the state's manufacturing and IT talent,” said Jeff Mason, CEO, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the state’s chief marketing and business attraction arm that administers programs and performs due diligence on behalf of the MSF.

“Collaboration with our local partners is key to attracting these kinds of investments and further building the economy around the state,” Mason said.

Today’s announcements coincide with Michigan Manufacturing Week, taking place from Sept. 30 through Oct. 6. The week culminates in National Manufacturing Day, Friday, Oct. 5. In Michigan, there are more than 80 public events highlighting the range of emerging jobs and advanced manufacturing processes.

AGS Automotive Systems as been in the automotive parts industry for more than 70 years. The company is a Tier 1 supplier of bumper impact system assemblies/modules and currently has eight manufacturing locations, four in Canada and four in Michigan. AGS needs to expand its capacity due to recently awarded new programs and plans to expand at its Sterling Heights location. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $5 million and create 100 new jobs. As a result, the company has been awarded a $950,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in other regions. The city of Sterling Heights has offered to assist with talent attraction in support of the project. Individuals interested in careers with AGS should visit http://www.agsautomotive.com/employment.cfm.

“We are pleased that AGS continues to invest in our great community,” said Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor. “The continued financial investment reinforces that Sterling Heights is the most desired place to do business for advanced manufacturing.”

Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., founded in 1978 and headquartered in Torrance, California, is an industry-leading manufacturer of high-performance mobile electronics. As a subsidiary of Alps Electric Co., Ltd., one of the world’s premier manufacturers of electronic components for computer, communications, and car electronic equipment, Alpine is the specialized supplier of mobile electronics systems. The company has seen increasing demand from its customers to jointly develop technology and products for autonomous vehicles. Alpine plans to expand its operations in the city of Auburn Hills to allow it to increase its connectivity, autonomous, sharing and electric technologies. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $5.1 million and create 100 jobs, resulting in a $650,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over the company’s existing headquarters location in California. The city of Auburn Hills has offered a 50-percent property tax abatement in support of the project. Individuals interested in careers with Alpine should visit https://alpine-usa.com/company/careers.

“This new investment will allow Alpine to continue developing technologies for work in the autonomous vehicle industry,” said Auburn Hills Mayor Kevin McDaniel. “Our City Council and staff has worked diligently to support this exciting project and we are looking forward to their continued success.” 

Configit, Inc. provides global manufacturers with business-critical solutions for the configuration of complex products. Founded in Denmark in 2000, the company has offices around the world and in the U.S. Configit plans to open a new office in the city of Southfield to house its U.S.-based software product development team. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $803,000 and create 51 high-tech and administrative jobs, resulting in a $365,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen for the expansion over competing sites in Atlanta and Chicago. The city of Southfield is offering expedited permitting in support of the project. Individuals interested in careers with Configit should visit https://configit.com/about/careers/.

“We’re pleased Configit has chosen Southfield as the location for its software product development team in the United States,” Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said. “Oakland County is connecting many of its 2,000+ IT companies operating here through our Tech248 initiative and a global company such as Configit fits perfectly into the strategy.”

Medline Industries, Inc. is the largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies uniquely positioned to support the continuum of care. The company is experiencing growing customer demand for its products and clinical solutions and needs to increase the efficiency of distributing to Michigan and the surrounding states. Medline plans to lease a 420,000-square-foot facility in the city of Romulus, investing $5.9 million and creating 75 jobs, with the potential to reach $13 million in total investment over five years. As a result the company has been awarded a $250,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in Indiana and Ohio.

“Medline’s expansion is great news for Romulus. Medline has been a tremendous corporate citizen in our community for years. Now, they have significant goals for growth,” said Romulus Mayor LeRoy Burcroff. “Their $13 million investment in the city will lead to the creation of 75 jobs. That's outstanding.”

The city of Romulus has offered hiring support and the Detroit Region Aerotropolis Development Corporation is also planning to assist the company in finding candidates for the newly created positions. For information on careers with Medline, visit https://www.medline.com/pages/about-us/careers/.

 “This is a huge win. For the largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies in the world to choose Wayne County as the site for their expansion shows we are doing a lot of things right,” said Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans. “And the availability of land in Aerotropolis makes it the perfect location for Medline’s future growth. I’m very excited about this development.”

Piston Automotive, LLC specializes in the assembly and manufacturing of complex modules in powertrain, chassis, interior, exterior and electrification for the auto industry.

The company was formed in 1995 by Detroit Piston Vinnie Johnson to serve major automakers and related OEM suppliers in the greater Detroit area. Piston Automotive has since grown to include seven full-service manufacturing and assembly facilities throughout the United States. Piston Automotive has been awarded new contracts and plans to increase production with additional machinery and equipment along with additional R&D capabilities. The company plans to establish a new 154,000 square foot facility in Van Buren Township, a project that will generate a total capital investment of $16.7 million and create 118 jobs. The investment is projected to increase to approximately $20 million by 2021.

As a result, the company has been awarded a $590,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Van Buren Township and/or the Detroit Region Aerotropolis Development Corporation will provide staff time and resources in support of the project. 

“Piston Automotive was founded, first and foremost, to have an impact across Detroit and Michigan,” said Johnson. “We’re proud to say we tackle some of the automotive industry’s most complex and challenging projects right here in Michigan, but what really excites me is that we’re able to achieve those results with a robust team of local workers. The facility in Van Buren Township builds upon both of those commitments.”

Individuals interested in careers with Piston Automotive should visit http://www.pistonautomotive.com/.

Also today, the Michigan Strategic Fund approved five projects in West Michigan that are expected to generate a total private investment of $6.7 million and create 58 jobs.

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.