Lyon Township — A subsidiary of Canadian-based auto supplier Magna International Inc. will build a $56 million auto parts manufacturing plant here that is expected to create 250 jobs.
Marada Industries, which operates as Cosma Body Assembly Michigan, will build the 150,000-square-foot facility on a 32-acre parcel of vacant land near Milford Road and Grand River Avenue. It will supply underbody structural components to the auto industry.
The site is part of a 512-acre parcel once owned by the Walbridge Aldinger construction firm, according to Oakland County.
“It solidifies the fact that Oakland County is the world headquarters of advanced manufacturing,” said Mark Adams, a senior business development representative with Oakland County. “We hope this will be a catalyst for other projects to take place on that particular parcel.”
According to an Oakland County spokesperson, construction crews are scheduled to break ground on the project in the fourth quarter of this year, and it is scheduled to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2016.
On Monday, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. awarded the project a $1.6 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. It is also eligible for a property tax abatement from Lyon Township.
Marada officials said Michigan wasn’t cost competitive with other potential locations it was looking at in Ohio, South Carolina and Ontario, but the grant offsets Michigan’s higher operating costs.
A Magna spokesperson said the company doesn’t have any additional information on the site at this time.
“Oakland County’s talented workforce, quality of life and attractive proximity to the auto industry were key factors in attracting Magna to the Lyon Township site,” Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said in a press release announcing the project.
Magna has 27 manufacturing facilities and 11 engineering, product development and sales centers in Michigan, employing more than 10,000 workers. It’s North American headquarters is in Troy.
Magna makes automotive systems, assemblies, modules and components, and engineers and assembles vehicles, primarily for sale to the car and light truck original equipment manufacturers.
