August 23, 2007

Company growing operations in Auburn Hills and Troy

FULDA, Germany - After meeting today with EDAG Engineering and Design AG officials at the company's facility in Fulda, Germany, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm announced the company plans to invest approximately $7 million to expand its operations in Auburn Hills and Troy over the next two years and create 140 new jobs.

"EDAG is exactly the kind of high tech company that will revitalize our economy and create good jobs for our workers," Granholm said.  "Their decision to expand in Michigan is a testament to our first-class workforce and will help us continue to be a leader in manufacturing innovation and automotive research and development."

Granholm and Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) President and CEO James C. Epolito arrived in Germany last night after three days of meetings with business executives, government leaders, and alternative energy experts in Sweden.  The governor and Epolito are in Sweden and Germany this week to encourage Swedish and German businesses seeking to expand their presence in the U.S. to do so in Michigan.

EDAG is one of the world's largest independent engineering and development companies.  It specializes in product development, manufacturing equipment, production and aerospace.  EDAG employs over 4,000 associates in 33 locations worldwide.  The company has its North American headquarters and tech center in Auburn Hills and operates an additional tech center in Troy.  The company currently employs approximately 266 workers in Michigan. 
 
"Michigan is the right place for global companies looking to reach the North American market," Epolito said. "Nowhere else on the continent can you find the mix of high-skilled workers, a pro-growth business climate, and outstanding quality of life that we have."

Granholm also made the case for Michigan to executives from Behr-Hella Thermocontrol, ersol Solar Energy AG, and Maschinenfabrik Spaichingen.  Behr-Hella Thermocontrol of Plymouth and Maschinenfabrik Spaichingen (MS Welders) of Fowlerville are automotive suppliers considering growing their already strong presence in Michigan. ersol Solar Energy AG is one of Germany's leading photovoltaic companies.

There are more than 300 German-owned companies in Michigan, defined as those with at least 50 percent German ownership, with over 170,000 employees.  They are heavily concentrated in the advanced automotive manufacturing and research and development sectors.
Granholm will conclude her investment mission tomorrow meeting with Brose Fahrzeugteile and ZF Lemforder. 
 
Granholm's previous investment missions to Germany and Japan have resulted in more than $302 million in new investment in Michigan and more than 2,300 new jobs. 

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