War is hell. It's also very profitable for some Metro Detroit suburbs. Billions of dollars in defense contracts are pouring into communities like Troy, Sterling Heights, Warren and Ann Arbor, and the companies there are finding new jobs for auto engineers who are willing to adapt.
The construction workers have just begun gearing up for demolition in Sterling Heights to make room for BAE Systems new campus.The military-based firm is taking over the old TRW site on the 32400 block of Van Dyke and turning it into its new engineering campus. The expansion is expected to create 460 new jobs thanks to an investment of $44 million in the 81-acre property.The Michigan Economic Growth Authority approved $1.4 million in loans to make the creation of the new tech center possible. The center will concentrate on the land and armaments projects.BAE Systems builds the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, M113 Armored Personnel Carrier, the Valanx, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and a number of other ground vehicles for the U.S. Army. General Dynamics has traditionally been the main defense contractor in Sterling Heights. However, a number of other defense contractors have set up shop in Sterling Heights in recent years, creating hundreds of engineering jobs in the process.Source: Steve Guitar, director of the Community Relations Department for the city of Sterling Heights and the Michigan Economic Development CorporationWriter: Jon Zemke
Call it a plan of attack or a confederation of defense-minded interests preparing for war. Regardless of the description, its proper name is the Michigan Security Network. In a coordinated effort to win more investment (and jobs) in the homeland security sector, a bakers' dozen and then some (16) of prominent firms, universities, and other groups have have banded together to create the new group. "We have a lot of moving parts and they'll all result in some sort of job creation in Michigan," says Leslie Touma, president of the Michigan Security Network.Homeland security is a $113 billion market. Touma believes Michigan can become a major player for a big piece of that pie. The Michigan Security Network has identified three key areas offering the greatest potential: cyber security, border security, and biodefense. It will serve as a networking hub, database, and market research for leveraging this growing sector.Michigan also holds a number of inherent advantages. It has a large number of patent holdings, it is the country's busiest international border, and ranks second among states for overall research and development spending. Last year, Michigan earned approximately $37 million in homeland security grants while states such as California and New York each received more than a quarter of a billion dollars.The Michigan Security Network is planning its first technology conference in November in Dearborn.Source: Leslie Touma, president of the Michigan Security NetworkWriter: Jon Zemke
Are you ready for anything? Most of us aren't but Patriot Services Corporation most certainly is. This prospering company, based in Walled Lake, offers detailed disaster and emergency plan solutions. And if the last five years are any indication of its next five years, well, plan on seeing major growth from this company.
Membership in the Robotics Technology Consortium is gaining momentum, more than doubling membership numbers in its second year.The non-profit's membership has gone from 88 organizations last year to 179 this year. Those numbers are expected to grow as firms specializing in robotics increasingly try to break into the defense sector."It has really sprung up and is really taking off," says Phil Callihan, executive director of the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences.The Ann Arbor-based Robotics Technology Consortium spun off from the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences to help guide companies through doing business with the U.S. Dept. of Defense. The idea is to clear a path so technology can make it to the battlefield in an expedited manner.More and more local manufacturing and robotics firms are breaking into the defense/homeland security sectors as a way to diversify their client portfolio as the domestic automotive industry continues to shrink."The area of robotics is growing so exponentially," Callihan says. "We think the sky is the limit."Source: Phil Callihan, executive director of the National Center for Manufacturing SciencesWriter: Jon Zemke
Cybernet Systems is opening up offices across the U.S. but still looking to hire people in Ann Arbor.Excerpt:Cybernet Systems is spreading its tentacles beyond its Ann Arbor home.The company of 50 employees and a few summer interns is opening a new office in Orlando. The handful of people will serve in an information assurance capacity for clients of its military vehicle work down south. In the meantime, the company has four jobs openings, including a mathematical engineer for its Ann Arbor headquarters."We're almost always accepting resumes and hiring," says Patrick Lewis, a spokesman for Cybernet Systems.Read the rest of the story here.
More money is being thrown at diversifying Metro Detroit's manufacturing base. The most recent shovel full is $1.58 million to help manufacturers find a niche in the defense sector.Automation Alley received the contract to help smooth that transition as part of the TACOM LCMC Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages program. The idea is to help the military industrial complex find manufacturers who can produce replacement parts for the U.S. Army's 3,000-plus weapon systems."It will really be beneficial for companies looking to diversify into defense contracting," says Charles DeVries, director of government affairs for Automation Alley.Automotive suppliers who are hurting from the auto slump can thus find more work, and in turn preserve and create more jobs building everything from systems for hydraulics to air conditioning units.TACOM LCMC is based in Warren and brings together organizations that focus on military systems. It's also connected to the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC), a major national laboratory for advanced military automotive technology.Companies interested in taking part can send an email to info@automationalley.com. Source: Charles DeVries, director of government affairs for Automation AlleyWriter: Jon Zemke
The Macomb-OU INCubator's pockets are getting a little closer to some funding now that Hennessey Capital is signing on as a partner.The Huntington Woods-based financing firm will provide expertise but not necessarily funding to the start-ups at the business incubator in Sterling Heights. The city, Macomb County, and Oakland University are sharing resources to help the creation and growth of start-ups that will help diversify the Metro Detroit economy.Hennessey Capital specializes in providing financing to small- and medium-sized firms so they can fund development or commercialization of new products. Many of the firms it supplies money to are based in Michigan. Hennessey Capital will have a spot on the Macomb-OU INCubator's Investment Review Board, a panel that determines funding allotments to INCubator candidates. The INCubator concentrates on nurturing companies focused on defense and homeland security, advanced manufacturing, and alternative energy industries. Source: Automation AlleyWriter: Jon Zemke
The ceremonial shovels have gone into the ground for the new BAE Systems campus in Sterling Heights, and the real shovels are expected to begin digging this fall.The new automotive research and development facility is expected to create 460 new jobs. The center will concentrate on land and armaments projects, such as armored personnel carriers and other military vehicles."The expectation is that long term that facility will continue to grow," says Luke Bonner, economic development director for the city of Sterling Heights.The military-based firm is taking over the old TRW site, on the 32400 block of Van Dyke between 14 and 15 Mile roads. It is investing $44 million to turn the 81-acre property into its new engineering campus. The Michigan Economic Growth Authority approved $1.4 million in loans to make the creation of the new tech center possible. BAE Systems builds the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, M113 Armored Personnel Carrier, the Valanx, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, and a number of other ground vehicles for the U.S. Army. General Dynamics has traditionally been the main defense contractor in Sterling Heights. However, a number of other defense contractors have set up shop in Sterling Heights in recent years, creating hundreds of engineering jobs in the process.Source: Luke Bonner, economic development director for the city of Sterling HeightsWriter: Jon Zemke
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