Five Business Expansions bring 390 New Jobs to Oakland, Wayne, and Delta County

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced five business expansion projects in Southeast Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. In total, these projects will represent nearly $40 million in capital investment across Michigan and create 392 jobs across mobility, electric vehicle, and Industry 4.0 industries.  

“Today’s projects will create 392 jobs and drive nearly $40 million of investment in Southeast Michigan and the UP,” said Governor Whitmer. “Since I took office, we have secured 37,000 auto jobs, and our momentum continues to grow. We will keep our foot on the accelerator to lead the future of manufacturing, create good paying jobs for Michiganders, and keep bringing critical supply chains home. Together, we will keep showing the world that Michigan is the best place to live, work, and invest.” 

“Today is a great day indeed, and clearly shows that Team Michigan continues to bring investments to the state driving a diverse economic landscape, ensuring people have access to jobs, helping build vibrant communities, and driving Michigan to be a stronger, more resilient state,” said MEDC Senior Vice President of Regional Development Matt McCauley. “We applaud the commitments from these companies knowing that they can thrive by Making it in Michigan.” 

 

Autosystems America Inc. Expanding in Novi, Creating 97 Jobs   

Autosystems America Inc., a division of Magna International, plans to expand in the city of Novi, where it will establish its Center of Excellence for Lighting. 

“The investment made by Autosystems America into our community is fantastic news. With this $2.45 million investment, along with the $600,000 grant made by the state, we will be able to create 97 high-paying jobs. With the establishment of the Center of Excellence for Lighting, we will be able to ensure that our roads are safer by providing greater visibility while driving at night, which is especially crucial for thousands of hard-working Michiganders,” said state Representative Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth). 

The expansion in Novi will provide additional space at the company’s existing manufacturing facility to house Magna’s Center of Excellence for Lighting, where it will add engineering and testing labs. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $2.45 million and create 97 high-wage jobs with the support of a $600,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen for the project over another competing site in North America due to the company’s strong presence and existing talent base in the state. 

Novi has offered staff time in support of the project. Information on careers with Autosystems America can be found here. 

 

Cosma Body Assembly Michigan expanding in Lyon Township, Creating 166 Jobs    

Marada Industries Inc. dba Cosma Body Assembly Michigan (CBAM), a subsidiary of Magna International, is constructing an expansion at its manufacturing facility in Lyon Township. 

CBAM has recently received new business with an existing customer and plans to construct a 123,296-square-foot expansion, which will provide the space required to manufacture front and rear underbody structural rails, front and rear assemblies, mid-rail assemblies, rail cover assemblies, wheelhouse assembly, spot welding, projection welding, and highly automated robotic assembly.  

The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $35.2 million and create 166 jobs with the support of an $830,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen for the project over a competing site in the south due to the company’s strong presence and existing talent base in the state. 

Lyon Township has offered space at the township hall to be used for future job fairs to assist the company in finding candidates for the newly created positions. Information on careers with Cosma Body Assembly Michigan can be found here. 

 

Magna New Mobility USA, Establishing New R&D Facility in Troy, Creating 100 Jobs    

Magna New Mobility USA, Inc., a division of Magna Services of America, Inc. and Magna Steyr USA Inc. are establishing a new R&D facility with office space in the city of Troy.  

“I am thrilled to see this investment in Troy,” said state Representative Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy). “The combination of a $1.2 million investment, plus a $1 million grant from the state, will help create 100 good-paying jobs. The research conducted at the new facility will only continue to grow in importance — especially as we build more and more self-driving cars. This investment will help keep Michigan at the heart of the automotive industry and make Troy one of its most important centers.” 

The facility will comprise manufacturing and laboratory space as well as administrative offices. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $1.2 million and create 100 jobs with the support of a $1 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Due to the company’s significant presence and strong talent base in Michigan, the company chose to establish their facility here as opposed to a competing site in North America. 

"Magna's commitment to expanding its footprint in Troy, Lyon Township, and Novi is such welcome news for Oakland County," said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. "And the company's investments in the vital areas of electric vehicles, research and development and production reinforces the region's standing as the premier location for the mobility industry of the future." 

Magna utilizes Michigan Works! to reach local talent and offers its employees full benefits and paths for advancement or transfers to new positions within the organization. The project supports the state’s efforts to position Michigan as the global leader in future mobility and advanced automotive manufacturing and will bring immediate good jobs with a large employer. 

The city of Troy has offered expedited permitting and marketing for potential job fairs or grand openings in support of the project. Information on careers with Magna New Mobility can be found here. 

Magna is a mobility technology company and one of the world’s largest suppliers in the automotive space with a global, entrepreneurial-minded team of over 179,000 employees and an organizational structure designed to innovate like a startup. With 65+ years of expertise, and a systems approach to design, engineering and manufacturing that touches nearly every aspect of the vehicle, the company is positioned to advance mobility in a transforming industry. Michigan is Magna's U.S. corporate home and the state with their largest U.S. footprint. Magna operates 34 facilities in Michigan and employs more than 12,000 Michiganders. 

 

Motis LLC, dba Racer Ramps Relocating its California operations to Escanaba, Creating 9 Jobs 

Motis LLC, dba Race Ramps, founded in Escanaba in 2004, plans to bring its Southern California operations to Escanaba and establish a specialty manufacturing center of excellence.  

Race Ramps was acquired by Motis, a producer of a wide range of products for the powersport, medical, recreational, commercial, transportation, military, and industry markets, in 2019. Since then, Race Ramps has nearly doubled its revenue, with 25 Michiganders currently employed in Escanaba. 

The new facility will use advanced polyurethane materials to form various hoses and cords that are used to protect equipment that transports liquids and electricity. The materials used are entirely domestically sourced, resulting in a 100-percent U.S.-produced product. 

“The MEDC’s support of an expansion project for Motis, LLC (Race Ramps) continues to put the spotlight on the area’s manufacturing capabilities,” said Ed Legault, Executive Director, Delta County Economic Development Alliance. “The $75,000 grant provides significant investment into a strategy that will help create a specialized manufacturing center of excellence in Escanaba. The grant supporting the expansion will create nine new jobs at the Race Ramps Escanaba facility.” 

The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $675,000 and create up to nine jobs with the support of a $75,000 Micro Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. The company chose Michigan for the project over a competing site in Wisconsin because of the strength of Michigan’s workforce. 

“Motis is extremely proud of the work that is being done in our Escanaba facility. The Race Ramps branded products produced in that facility are known all over the world as a premium product for automobile displaying, storage and transport,” said Kurt Kappeler, Chief Financial Officer, Motis Brands. “We are excited to partner with the MEDC to invest in that facility to expand into the production of our Elasco branded products. The investment from the MEDC will be used for building improvements and the purchase of state-of-the-art high pressure molding equipment.”   

Race Ramps supports the personal growth of its employees with additional training opportunities and full benefits. The project will bring advanced manufacturing jobs to the region and will solidify the company’s presence and future business in the state. 

The Delta County Economic Development Alliance has offered a property tax abatement in support of the project. Information on careers with Race Ramps can be found here. 

 

SkillReal LTD, Establishing U.S. Headquarters in Livonia, Creating 20 Jobs   

SkillReal LTD, headquartered in Israel, is an engineering, research, and development company that is successfully reducing the gap between virtual and physical manufacturing operations by offering Digital Twin Alignment (DTA) inspection technologies. This technology is the first of its kind and offers manufacturing companies a safe and convenient inspection system to support its processes, shortening production times and offering efficiencies from design through production. 

"I am more than thrilled to welcome Skill Real LTD to Livonia,” said state Senator Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.). “The talent within our community is truly exceptional, and this $420,000 investment as well as the creation of 20 new jobs is a testament to the potential and capabilities of Livonia’s workforce. Investing in our workforce, talent growth, and people-focused economic development has never been more important, and it's great to see these priorities actualized in my own district when companies expand in Michigan. I look forward to the innovative solutions and advancements that will come from this exciting, new project." 

“I am excited and happy that Livonia is one of the communities throughout the state receiving support from MBDP for new community development,” said Speaker Pro Tem Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia). “This $420,0000 investment brings a high-tech manufacturing company, Skill Real LTD’s headquarters to the U.S — spurring new job opportunities and better innovations.” 

"From our first meeting with SkillReal, we have been impressed by Shai's vision, not only for the product but how they went about choosing a location for SkillReal North America - and we are thrilled they chose to Make it in Michigan,” said Bernard Bourgeois, Managing Director and Michigan Ecosystem Leader Michigan Israel Business Accelerator. “The MIBA is proud of the role we've played to facilitate the connections needed to get SkillReal to this point and look forward to seeing this disruptive technology profoundly benefit manufacturers in Michigan and beyond." 

The company has chosen a facility in Livonia, Wayne County to establish its U.S. Headquarters, and allow the company to service more customers and offer closer proximity to existing U.S. customers. This investment is anticipated to result in a capital investment of up to $420,000 and the creation of 20 new jobs with an average wage of $76.20 per hour plus benefits, compared to the regional media wage of $23.26 per hour. This investment comes with MSF support in the form of a Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant in the amount of $420,000. 

The company chose Michigan over a competing site in Austin, Texas for its U.S. Headquarters due to the concentrated presence of OEMs and Tier One suppliers in Detroit and the surrounding areas. 

Click here to explore career opportunities with SkillReal. 

 

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.