Michigan is leading a new industrial revolution, applying knowledge-based information technologies to traditional manufacturing. A powerful concentration of engineering and engineering services, including research and development, makes Michigan a leader in R&D. More than 360 world-class labs and institutes in the state – public and private - are devoted to industrial and manufacturing technologies.
Through this technological revolution, automation, production, and technological innovation is at the forefront of Michigan manufacturing. The production of autos, trucks and parts is a $106.2 billion industry in Michigan. Michigan is the home to GM*, Ford* and Daimler-Chrysler,* as well as auto suppliers such as Lear Corporation*, a leader in interior design systems, and Delphi Corporation*, manufacturer of a wide variety of systems for today’s vehicles.
Michigan also has many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that prefer to have their suppliers located nearby, and many of those OEMS are part of the plastics industry. Michigan is in the top four in the U.S. with respect to employment in the plastics industry and ranks 5th in the nation for plastics shipments. The plastics industry impacts our lives in many ways--from the automotive industry to large global companies such as Huhtamaki, located in central Michigan, where they thermoform food containers.
But not only are we home to these automotive giants and their suppliers. Many other thriving industries across the state produce everything from baby food to cereals, chemicals to pharmaceuticals, and machine tools to plastics. For example, more than half of the $8.9 billion in office furniture systems (seating, desks, files, storage and tables) made in the United States in 2004 was produced by the Big 3 west Michigan furniture companies -Steelcase, Herman Miller and Haworth.
With new technological innovation comes a strong life sciences sector, which includes:
Lumigen, Inc., innovators in Chemiluminescence, makes their home in Southfield, Michigan. Michigan is also the home to two Pfizer Global Research and Development facilities located in Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo. Pfizer’s products include many name-brand over-the-counter drugs as well as prescription medicines. The Ann Arbor R&D location works closely with the University of Michigan in many joint ventures. Another name in the Life Science industry that makes its home in Michigan is the Stryker Corporation* located in Kalamazoo and known for their recent developments in ceramic hip replacements.
Midland is home to Dow Chemical’s * global operations. Dow Chemical’s products include everything from chemicals to plastics and adhesives to sealants. Along with the manufacturing of these products, the Midland facility also houses a state-of-the-art research facility.
Not only is Michigan known for advanced manufacturing and life sciences, but we have a very diverse agricultural industry. We grow and process apples, cherries, and many other fruits and vegetables for everything from baby food to cherry juice used for pharmaceutical purposes. Fremont is where the Gerber Company calls home. Battle Creek, Michigan is the home of Kellogg’s, which recently acquired Keebler to combine two highly respected food producers. Post Cereals, part of the Kraft Corporation, is another breakfast company that makes its home in Battle Creek.
As you can see, Michigan has a diversified economy. We not only work to attract companies to Michigan, but we make sure that once you’re here, you have reliable resource for all your business needs. We have a Customer Assistance Unit that is here to help assure that your business has access to all the tools and resources Michigan has to offer.