Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to announce 320 new high-wage jobs in Oakland County as a result of three new company expansions supported by the Michigan Strategic Fund.
The expansions build on the growing momentum of economic growth across Michigan and further boost Michigan's leadership position in automotive R&D and advanced manufacturing.
Electrical Components International (ECI) is one of the world's leading suppliers of electrical distribution systems, control box assemblies, and other critical engineered components for diversified industries. With 25,000 employees and 37 global manufacturing locations, ECI is partner to market leaders with more than 500 customers.
ECI continues to grow and expand as the automotive industry shifts toward electric and connected vehicles. ECI plans to increase its presence in Michigan and establish a global Business and Engineering Solutions Center in the city of Southfield where it will house executive leadership staff and engineering operations.
The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $1.3 million and create 57 high-wage jobs, supported by a $760,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen as the ideal location to continue to expand the company's capabilities around engineering and technology.
U.K.-based Expert Technologies establishing first U.S. operations in Auburn Hills, creating 43 high-wage jobs
Expert Technologies Inc, previously known as Arrow Automation Inc, is a newly formed subsidiary of the Expert Technologies Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom. The company provides industrial automation solutions to the auto, aerospace, electric vehicle and medical industries.
Expert Technologies has been established to capture a share of the U.S. automotive automation market with its first U.S. facility in Auburn Hills. The location will serve as the Expert Technologies Group's U.S. headquarters and will house C-suite executives, sales, engineering, assembly and back-office support.
The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $2.7 million and create up to 43 high-wage jobs, resulting in a $250,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen for the project over a competing site in South Carolina.
The project will further boost Michigan as the global leader in automotive manufacturing and future mobility and vehicle electrification, and will bring immediate, good jobs to area residents. 
LER TechForce expanding in Pontiac to meet growing demand for automotive engineering services, creating 220 high-wage jobs
LER TechForce, LLC, a global leader in resident engineering and automotive engineering resources, will be expanding its engineering services and technician program in Michigan while also launching its new military division.
The transportation industry is seeing unprecedented demand for engineering services as automotive-related customers shift their offerings to include both electric and autonomous vehicle technologies.
To meet the demand for engineering services, LER TechForce plans to expand into leased space in the city of Pontiac, where it will house onsite engineering resources with clients as well as outsourced engineering projects.
This project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $8.4 million and create as many as 220 high-wage jobs, supported by a $1 million Jobs Ready Michigan Program performance-based grant. The state of Michigan was chosen over a competing site in Indiana.
LER TechForce will provide targeted training to new employees in electric, autonomous, and diesel vehicles, as well as upskilling current employees. ■