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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Navitas Systems Expands Michigan Manufacturing Plants

02/11/2021
Navitas Systems, a leader in integrated design, technology development, and manufacturing of innovative energy-enabled system solutions and energy storage products, was awarded a $1 million Michigan Business Development Program grant for the creation of 125 new jobs and a $9.2 million investment at its facility in Pittsfield Charter Township, Michigan.

The company is located in Ann Arbor, with both a 48,000-square-foot R&D, engineering, and manufacturing center, as well as a 100,000-square-foot lithium battery systems manufacturing center.

According to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Navitas is experiencing growth in its commercial segment and plans to expand into a second facility in Scio Township, where it will house its commercial battery manufacturing, additional engineering resources and battery cell production, and office space. The project is expected to generate a total private investment of $3.36 million and create 111 high-paying new jobs, resulting in a $750,000 MBDP performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in Illinois and Pennsylvania.

“We appreciate the opportunity to continue our development path in the state of Michigan. The job incentive grant is an important part of our justification for making the additional investments in Ann Arbor as compared to other sites,” said Alan Elshafei, founder and CEO of Navitas Systems. “MEDC has been a strategic partner for Navitas since 2013 and we appreciate the confidence MEDC has placed in our company as well as the resources to help turn our plans into new jobs and opportunities.”

The project aligns with MEDC’s focus industries of automotive manufacturing, engineering, design, and development as well as advanced manufacturing, state officials said. Navitas is focused on promotion from within and provides a complete benefits package and tuition reimbursement to its employees. Ann Arbor SPARK has worked to help further the company’s success since 2013, through a range of activities including support in finding key talent, staff time, and other resources.

In August 2019, East Penn Manufacturing partnered with Navitas Systems and acquired majority interest in the company. East Penn is a privately-owned company operating the largest single-site battery manufacturing facility in the world.

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