Consultants Forum Advertise
Subscribe
Close

  • Free for qualified executives and consultants to industry

  • Receive quarterly issues of Area Development Magazine and special market report and directory issues

Subscribe Now
Renew

Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Magna International Expands Highland Park, Michigan Auto Seat Production Plant

06/24/2020
A mobility technology company serving the automotive supply industry, Magna International will expand its seat manufacturing facility in Highland Park, Michigan. The project will generate $35.4 million in private investment and create 480 jobs.

According to state officials, Magna has been awarded new full-seat assembly contracts, requiring an expansion of its Highland Park site by approximately 5,000 square feet. The project includes remodeling the current space, adding new automated storage and retrieval shipping systems, and redesigning all assembly lines throughout the facility.

“We’ve put a lot of dedication into managing through the COVID pandemic, and it’s a good feeling to have news about growth for Magna and jobs for people in Highland Park, Detroit and other nearby communities,” said Magna Seating President John Wyskiel. “We take great pride in being part of the auto industry, in making great seats for our customers, and in helping do our part for a safe and productive economic recovery.”

In addition to complete seat systems Magna makes everything from mirrors and powertrains to electronics and body & chassis systems, and is the only auto supplier to engineer and assemble complete vehicles. Magna has more than 159,000 employees worldwide, of which 625 are located at the manufacturing plant in Highland Park. Magna has a total of 30 facilities in Michigan, employing more than 10,000 Michiganders.

“This is great news for Michigan workers, their families, and our economy as a whole as we lay a path for economic recovery and growth here in our state,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Today’s announcement by Magna further underscores that Michigan, the state that put the world on wheels, is the undisputed location for auto manufacturers to expand and grow. It’s time to get Michiganders back to work and I’m glad to see one of the state's longtime employers investing once again in our state.”

The project is expected to generate a total private investment of $35.4 million and create 480 jobs in a range of positions including management, IT, and manufacturing; as a result the company received a $2.1 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund. The company also received approval of a five-year, 100-percent State Essential Services Assessment exemption valued at $326,678. This support was critical in Michigan being chosen for the expansion over a competing site in another state. In addition, the city of Highland Park has offered to provide staff time and resources in support of the project.

“As cities look for ways to rebuild and recover, I applaud Magna's timely commitment to jobs and development during this unprecedented time,” said Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans. “This is a step in the right direction for Highland Park as auto suppliers will hopefully see the value of locating and expanding in Wayne County.”

Today’s announcement builds on past investments by Magna in the state. Highlights include a previous expansion at the Highland Park seating plant in 2012 that created 244 new jobs and was supported by the Michigan Strategic Fund, and an expansion in 2018 at its mirrors facility in Newaygo with an investment of $45 million and creation 48 jobs, resulting in a $448,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.

“Magna’s continued investment in Michigan sends a strong sign that we are open for business as we enable long-term prosperity over the following weeks, months and years. This expansion means good jobs for our residents and further solidifies our state’s continued leadership in advanced automotive manufacturing and mobility,” said Mark A. Burton, CEO of Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “We’re pleased to work with our local partners and support this investment as we continue to work toward economic recovery for all Michiganders.”

Exclusive Research