MEDC announces Brose expansion in SE Michigan

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation today announced that Brose North America, one of the world’s leading automotive suppliers, is investing $60 million to expand in Michigan.

LANSING – The Michigan Economic Development Corporation today announced that Brose North America, one of the world’s leading automotive suppliers, is investing $60 million to expand in Michigan. The expansion, subject to approvals of state and local incentives, is expected to result in approximately 450 new full time engineering and manufacturing jobs.   

“Brose, with 650 employees currently in Michigan, is a global leader and vital to our automotive supply chain,” said Governor Rick Snyder. “The company’s decision to invest so heavily in Michigan is a strong statement of the great opportunities that, thanks to our business climate improvements, means Michigan offers growing companies one of the best business climates in the country.”   

Brose, a supplier of mechatronic components and electric motor drives for vehicle bodies and interiors, will receive a $3.5 million Michigan Business Development Program incentive to acquire the former Chrysler Mopar site on Bell Road in New Boston. Brose proposes to invest up to $60 million, creating 450 new jobs at the new facility as well as at the Auburn Hills and Warren locations. Huron Charter Township has offered support in the form of a 12 year property tax abatement to the project.    

Jan Kowal, president of Brose North America, said the company’s impressive growth in the region has accelerated the need for additional workers and manufacturing capacity.    

“We are pleased with our controlled growth,” Kowal said. “In 2011, Brose achieved annual sales of $1 billion in North America and worldwide sales of over $5 billion. This project will mean 450 new Michigan jobs and a combined investment from Brose and its customers of over $60 million by 2017.”   

Snyder met with Brose executives during his investment mission to Europe in March, when he and a Michigan delegation visited Germany and Italy to promote business opportunities in Michigan with major company executives and government officials.   

“The support of the Michigan government was instrumental in our decision to open the new location here,” said Vice President of Finance for Brose North America Scott Trujillo. “Talks began in earnest during Governor Rick Snyder's visit to our sales, engineering and production location in Würzburg, Germany this March. After reviewing many locations in the United States and Canada, we chose New Boston due to the proximity to strategic customers, the positive economic climate for job creation developed by Governor Snyder and favorable new fiscal management in the State of Michigan.”   

The Brose Group has had a North American presence since 1993with its U.S. headquarters and research and development center located in Auburn Hills and a manufacturing facility in Warren.  

“Governor Snyder's meeting with Brose executives in Germany underscored our strong relationship with the company and demonstrated again that Michigan is more business-friendly than ever,” said MEDC President and CEO Michael A. Finney. “The opening of the facility in New Boston will further strengthen Brose’s Michigan presence and provide additional high paying jobs for years to come.”   

The Brose Group is the leading manufacturer of mechatronic systems and electric drives for about 80 automotive manufacturers and more than 30 suppliers. More than 19,000 employees work for Brose at 53 locations in 23 countries in all major automotive markets worldwide, generating a turnover of more than $5 billion.   

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.