August 2, 2005

Meetings with Company Leaders Score Major Gains for State

LANSING – Wrapping up her investment mission to Japan, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced eight additional companies expressed to her and the Michigan delegation their plans to invest and create new jobs in Michigan in the near future. The eight companies are: Hitachi Automotive, Sekisui Chemical, Nippon Antenna, Nippon Piston Ring, Advanced Special Tools, Nakagawa Special Steel, Taiko Device Technologies and A&D Inc.
 
They join DENSO and Tokai Rika on the list of Japanese companies planning to expand their operations in Michigan. 
 
 “I went to Japan with one thing in mind – to bring new jobs and new opportunities back to Michigan” Granholm said.  “These expansion projects in communities across our state signify to the rest of the world that Michigan is the right place in America for companies to grow jobs.  The intention of these companies to expand in Michigan represents significant new job opportunities for Michigan families.”
 
A total of 10 companies stated their intentions to expand at the conclusion of Granholm’s five-day investment mission. In addition to DENSO and Tokai Rika, the following eight companies are expected to invest a total of approximately $30 million and create more than 150 new Michigan jobs over the next several years:

• Hitachi Automotive is one of three core member companies of the Hitachi Group, a world leading maker of powerful, corporate transaction oriented mainframes as well as semiconductors, PCs and other information system and telecommunications technologies.  In Michigan Hitachi is located in Farmington Hills and employs 130 people.

• Sekisui Chemical is a diverse company with a range of products from housing and agriculture to medical, electronics and automotive.  Its Voltek division is located in Coldwater where it employs 170 individuals and generates sales of approximately $60 million.

• Nippon Antenna is undertaking a site search for a new R&D facility in Michigan. The company produces a variety of antenna devices, including automotive and satellite systems, and currently has a sales center in Farmington Hills.

• Nippon Piston Ring is completing a new plant in Grand Haven under the name NPR Manufacturing Michigan and preparing to hire new workers. The company currently operates its Assembled Camshafts, Inc. in Grand Haven.

• Advanced Special Tools in Battle Creek will create a new subsidiary called Advanced Plastics Molding in Battle Creek. AST currently employs 55 workers at its manufacturing facility in Battle Creek’s Fort Custer Industrial Park.

• Nakagawa Special Steel is opening its first sales office in Novi. Nakagawa is a steel trading company, established in 1924, specializing in steel for manufacturing including automotive, industrial machines and home appliances. 

• Taiko Device Technologies is opening its first North American office in Southfield. Established in 1968, Taiko manufactures and sells various electronics devices such as relay systems for automobile use.

• A&D Inc. is establishing A&D Technology Inc. as its wholly owned subsidiary in Ann Arbor to commence development of its DSP (Measurement, Control and Simulation Systems) business in the North American region. The company is investing $500,000 and hiring several employees. The company also recently acquired MTS Systems Corp.’s Powertrain Technology Division in Ann Arbor.

In addition to the intention expressed by eight company expansions announced today, the Governor announced last week the following company investments in Michigan:

• DENSO will invest $36 million to expand its North American headquarters in Southfield and create 250 new jobs;

• Tokai Rika will invest $50 million to grow its operations in Battle Creek, Jackson, and Plymouth, creating 230 new jobs;

“This was a five day mission,” said Granholm, “but it was part of a larger strategy to make Michigan the nation’s hub of the 21st century high-tech automotive and life science industries.”
 
The Governor chose Japan for the mission because of its high concentration of high-tech, life science and advanced engineering and design firms planning to expand in North America.  The Governor said her goal was to encourage those companies to choose Michigan for their business expansions.
 
“The commitment of these companies shows that our focus on diversifying and strengthening our economy is working,” Granholm said.
 
The investment mission to Japan was Granholm’s second overseas travel as governor, and focused on fostering job-creation leads within the automotive, life science, and alternative energy industries.
 
During the mission, the Governor addressed an automotive industry seminar at the World Expo in Nagoya, hosted a biotechnology seminar in Osaka with Michigan university presidents, met with Governor Yoshitsu Kunimatsu of Shiga Prefecture to discuss water preservation and other environmental concerns, touted Michigan as a global center of automotive and high-tech research and development to members of the Foreign Correspondent’s Club in Tokyo and accepted a “Gift of Science” on behalf of the New Detroit Science Center. 
 
Japan is Michigan’s largest Asian export market and our third-largest market in the world.  Michigan exported a billion dollars in goods to Japan last year, and Japan has more direct investment in Michigan than almost any other nation.  Roughly 600 Japanese divisions, affiliates, and subsidiaries operate in Michigan, employing 100,000 people and contributing $8 billion to our economy.  These companies represent a wide range of industry sectors but are heavily concentrated in manufacturing and research and development, sectors well known for producing high-wage jobs. 
 
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth Director David Hollister, MEDC Chief Operating Officer Sanford Ring and local economic development experts accompanied Granholm on the mission.