Gov. Whitmer Announces Michigan Wins 75 New Jobs as Ohio-based Automotive Supplier Plans New Operations in Shelby Township

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to announce that the state won 75 new jobs, retained 62 jobs, and secured $12.1 million in new investment from acoustic thermal producer Midwest Acoust-A-Fiber, which is establishing new operations in Shelby Township with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund.

“This investment by Midwest Acoust-A-Fiber to create 75 good-paying manufacturing jobs in Shelby Township underscores the strength of our talented manufacturing workforce and our attractive business climate,” said Governor Whitmer. “Let’s keep working together to put Michiganders first and investing in our hardworking people, innovative businesses, and resilient communities so they can thrive. Thanks to our bipartisan collaboration on economic development, Michigan’s economy is growing. Our future is bright, and investments like this one by Midwest Acoust-A-Fiber will help us move Michigan forward.”

“This project is an exciting win for Southeast Michigan and for the entire state. Today represents only the beginning of an exciting relationship with Midwest Acoust-A-Fiber,” said Quentin Messer, Jr., CEO of the MEDC and President and Chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund. “We are grateful to the Governor and legislators for the continued support of the Michigan Business Development Program. We’re proud to join our partners at the Detroit Regional Partnership, Macomb County, and Shelby Township as we celebrate AAF’s new operations here and look forward to working together to grow, add jobs, and provide greater opportunity for our friends and neighbors.”

The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of up to $12.1 million and create at least 75 jobs as well as retain 62 jobs, supported by a $375,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Midwest Acoust-A-Fiber chose Michigan for the project over competing sites Ohio and Canada because of its proximity to potential future contracts.

Midwest Acoust-A-Fiber is an Ohio-based Tier 1 and 2 supplier of exterior acoustic and thermal products, serving major light vehicle and heavy truck manufacturers across the globe. The company does not currently have a presence in Michigan.

Acoust-A-Fiber plans to acquire Shelby Township-based G&G Industries and its assets, including the facility G&G is operating within. In addition, Acoust-A-Fiber is planning an expansion at the existing facility where it will also produce fiberglass and exterior acoustic components to meet increasing demand.

“This project will strengthen AAF’s presence and future growth in the North American NVH industry,” said AAF’s CEO Herve Bocher. “We will be closer to our American customers, offering a high-quality product with fast response times for dynamic industry needs with product proudly made in Michigan, USA.”

The project will bring immediate job growth with a growing auto supplier and contributes to the MEDC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Michigan’s leadership in automotive manufacturing.

The Detroit Regional Partnership has offered to assist with talent solutions in support of the project. Individuals interested in careers with Midwest Acoust-A-Fiber should email their resume to [email protected].

“I'd like to welcome Midwest Acoust-A-Fiber to Shelby Township,” said Vicky Rowinksi, director, Macomb County Planning and Economic Development. “This attraction project is another win for our region and for the entire state. It will create jobs and add to our already dynamic automotive supplier network. I know that our skilled and talented workforce played a role in this company's decision to locate in Macomb County, and I'm thrilled to see new investment in our community.”

“There’s just no place in North America that can beat Michigan’s depth of automotive talent and just-in-time supply chain,” said Maureen Donohue Krauss, president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Partnership. “Given the density of our region’s mobility industry, suppliers that want to get their innovations to the OEMs continue to expand here. We were glad to help Acoust-A-Fiber explore our eleven counties and thrilled to welcome them to the Detroit Region.”

Today’s announcement builds on the Michigan Strategic Fund’s recent approval of an expansion by Magna of its powertrain business in Shelby Township, a project that is expected to generate a total capital investment $96.1 million and create 159 jobs with the support of a $1.3 million MBDP grant. The investment was part of a larger announcement by Magna that also included expansions in St. Clair and Highland Park – projects that in total, are expected to generate a capital investment of more than $526 million and create 1,569 jobs for Michigan residents.

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.