Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announced that global auto manufacturer DESign USA is establishing its U.S. headquarters and first U.S. manufacturing operations in New Hudson with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $19 million and create 45 good-paying jobs in advanced auto manufacturing and future mobility.
“DESign USA is driving $19 million of investment and creating 45 good jobs in Southeast Michigan, underscoring our leadership in advanced manufacturing and future mobility and builds on our economic momentum,” said Governor Whitmer. “Michigan was chosen for this expansion over South Carolina because of our talented workforce and strength in the future of mobility and vehicle electrification. Let’s keep competing to win projects that bring home good-paying, high-skill jobs that will support our people and invest in the places we call home. Together, we can continue to send a clear message that everyone is welcome to make it in Michigan.”
DESign USA Inc., headquartered in South Africa, is a large global automotive manufacturer. The company has grown significantly since it originated in 2017, completing projects for Ford, BMW, Stellantis, Tenneco and others.
The company plans to establish its first U.S. manufacturing operations in New Hudson, where it will construct a 153,000 square-foot facility that will be used to design and build automotive automation equipment. It will also serve as the company’s U.S. headquarters. The Michigan Strategic Fund is supporting the project with a $466,650 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen for the project over a competing site in South Carolina because of the company’s established relationships with Michigan-based suppliers and customers.
“The decision by DESign USA to establish its first U.S. operations and U.S. headquarters in Southeast Michigan underscores our state’s leadership in automotive manufacturing and future mobility, as well as the strength of our business climate and talented workforce,” said MEDC Sr. Vice President of Regional Prosperity Matt McCauley. “This project is a win for New Hudson and for the entire state. We are grateful to Governor Whitmer, legislators from both parties, and local officials for their continued support for our programs that help make announcements like today’s possible. We appreciate the efforts of our local partners in supporting this effort and will continue working to win projects, invest in places and support our people as we encourage businesses of all sizes to make it in Michigan.”
The project will bring immediate job growth with a large and expanding auto manufacturer and contributes to the MEDC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Michigan’s leadership in automotive manufacturing. The company anticipates the project could lead to future expansions and investment in the state.
“We are very excited to be relocating our U.S. headquarters to our new facility in Michigan,” said DESign Group Director John Ferreira. “We are grateful to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and their local partners who have helped us with our United States expansion. We look forward to working with the local workforce, innovators and manufacturers in Michigan.”
The Detroit Regional Partnership is prepared to assist the company in finding candidates for the newly created positions. Individuals interested in careers with DESign Group should email hiring.usa@des-igngroup.com or info@des-igngroup.com.
“We’re seeing a steady drumbeat of investment from global suppliers and manufacturers because they recognize the Detroit Region as the densest automotive and mobility cluster in the world,” said Maureen Donohue Krauss, president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Partnership. “We not only make things here. We make the things that make things, through cutting-edge tooling technology with world-class engineering talent. Design Group helps companies engineer their assembly lines to thrive and will further bolster our dynamic supply chain.”
“We are so pleased that DESign Group has chosen to invest in Lyon Township for the company’s newest facility,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “This leading assembly line supplier will find not only a pool of talented workers in Oakland County, but a customer base eager for the design, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities of a company located right here in the heart of the automotive capital of the world.”