Lear targets I-94 park site for Detroit plant

Lear Corp. plans to double down on its investment in Detroit by establishing a new manufacturing plant in the next two years, joining a city-led effort to create a hub with at least four other automotive suppliers. The push, supported by the Detroit 3 automakers — seeks to restore manufacturing capacity — and jobs — at the I-94 Industrial Park near the junction of I-94 and I-75 near the American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. headquarters. The city, working with Los Angeles-based advisory firm AECOM, has assembled 147 acres in and near the industrial park for the project, said F. Thomas Lewand, group executive for jobs and economic development for the city. Lewand said the city is in active discussions with suppliers about establishing manufacturing operations at the park. He expects the first commitment to be announced by the second quarter of next year. Matt Simoncini (B.S. '85), president and CEO of Southfield-based Lear, said now is the right time to expand the footprint in the city where Lear was founded nearly 100 years ago. Simoncini said the building's proximity to Wayne State University and the College for Creative Studies make it a prime location to attract top design talent. 
 

Crain's Detroit Business

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