Gov. Whitmer announces 30 jobs & $11.2 Million Investment from Expansion of BorgWarner Thermal Systems in Cadillac

Thursday, November 18, 2021

• Company launching new high-voltage cooler heater systems to be used in hybrid, electric vehicles • Project builds on Michigan’s leadership in mobility and electrification sector

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) today to announce that BorgWarner Thermal Systems, a manufacturer of thermal technology for combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles, is expanding its operations in Cadillac with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund.

The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $11.2 million and create up to 30 jobs with the support of a $225,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen for the project over a competing site in North Carolina.

“This investment by BorgWarner will create 30 good-paying jobs in Northern Michigan as we work to grow the state’s economy, create good-paying jobs, and build the industries of the future,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “This expansion reinforces our reputation as a leader in the future of mobility and electrification. We’re excited to celebrate BorgWarner’s expansion in Cadillac and look forward to working together to grow and add jobs for Michigan residents in the future.”

BorgWarner Thermal Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of Auburn Hills-based BorgWarner, specializes in thermal management technology for combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles. The company’s most recent technology is the high-voltage coolant heater used in electric vehicles. BorgWarner currently has approximately 1,300 employees in Michigan.

BorgWarner is growing its EV business and plans to manufacture advanced high-voltage coolant heater systems that will be used to manage cabin and battery temperatures, critical for vehicle efficiency in hybrid and pure electric vehicles.

“Congratulations to the team at BorgWarner on your tremendous growth and success. We appreciate this continued vote of confidence in our incredible talent and competitive business climate here in Michigan,” said Quentin Messer, Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and President and Chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund. “We’re pleased to work with our local partners to support BorgWarner’s investment in Cadillac, reinforcing Michigan’s position as the leader in electric vehicle manufacturing.”

The project bolsters Michigan’s leadership position in advanced manufacturing and will further boost the state’s efforts to position itself as the global leader in the future of mobility and vehicle electrification. BorgWarner provides full benefits to its employees and encourages promotion from within and is also developing training programs to further upskill its employees.

“I want to thank BorgWarner leadership for their continued investment in this plant and our people, as well as the MEDC and city of Cadillac for their support in growing our community,” said Hari Kumar, plant manager of BorgWarner’s Cadillac facility. “The Cadillac plant has more than 75 years of rich, automotive history and I am excited and honored to lead the team into the electrification era with the launch of our new high-voltage coolant heaters.”

The city of Cadillac has offered to support the project with permitting assistance. The city of Cadillac is certified with MEDC’s Redevelopment Ready Communities program.

“As City Manager and Chief Administrative Officer of the city, I want to thank BorgWarner for its longstanding commitment to our community and for bringing good jobs to our residents. As a newly-certified RRC community, I can attest that our organization offers a ‘hands-on’ approach to working with all of our industries,” said Cadillac City Manager Marcus A. Peccia. “We are thrilled this project has become a reality for our city and state. I also want to thank the MEDC and all our partners who helped to make this happen.”

Today’s news builds on the September announcement that electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian is establishing a new Rivian Service Support Operations facility in Plymouth, a project that is expected to generate a total capital investment of $4.6 million and create 100 jobs.

Michigan continues to focus on forward-thinking innovations around mobility and electrification, including through the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, which is working across state government, academia and private industry to enhance Michigan’s mobility ecosystem, including developing dynamic mobility and electrification policies and supporting the startup and scale-up of emerging technologies and businesses.

For information on careers with BorgWarner, visit https://www.borgwarner.com/careers.

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.