August 14, 2007
Mission to focus on renewable energy, manufacturing investment
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm will begin an overseas investment mission on Saturday, August 18, to attract Swedish and German business investments to Michigan. Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) President and CEO James C. Epolito will accompany the governor on her fifth mission - her first to Sweden and third to Germany.
"This mission is about attracting the high-tech companies that will invest and create jobs in Michigan," Granholm said. "As we work to diversify our economy, targeting the alternative energy sector, and invest in our workforce training, we have a strong business case to make to encourage these companies to expand or locate in Michigan."
In Sweden, Granholm will address the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce, participate in a business roundtable on alternative energy, and meet with business leaders. The governor will meet with companies already doing business in Michigan as well as companies considering expansions into North America, including, Trelleborg (auto components), IKEA (furniture), Movimento (machine tools), Investor AB (automotive), Sandvik (machine tools), Scania AB (automotive), Securitas AB (security systems), SAAB Automobile AB (automotive), Autoliv (auto safety systems), Seco Tools AB (machine tools), Atlas Copco AB (industrial productivity systems), Chemrec AB (alternative energy), KMT Group AB (advanced production machines), AB SKF (auto components), Vironova AB (biotechnology), and Neuronova (neurological drug development).
Nearly 50 Swedish companies currently have operations in Michigan, employing more than 6,000 workers.
The governor will then travel to Germany to meet with executives of companies, including EDAG Engineering + Design AG (independent engineering and development), Ersol Energy AG (photovoltaics), Maschinenfabrik Spaichingen (automotive components, machine tools), Behr-Hella Thermocontrol (automotive climate control), Brose North America and ZF Lemforder (auto components).
There are more than 300 German-owned companies in Michigan with over 170,000 employees. These companies are heavily concentrated in advanced automotive manufacturing and research and development.
"Business leaders and decision makers across the globe are taking notice of our aggressive economic plan and choosing to invest and grow in Michigan," Epolito said. "Michigan is a strong competitor in the global market and is strengthening its position in manufacturing innovation and alternative energy development."
Granholm's two previous investment missions to Germany and two to Japan have resulted in announcements of more than $302 million in new investments and more than 2,300 new jobs.
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