Troy-based metal stamper Gestamp North America Inc. will open a new research and development center in Auburn Hills later this year.
Gestamp, the U.S. subsidiary of Spanish supplier Gestamp Automocion SL, signed a long-term lease at 1600 Harmon Road near I-75. Renovations on the approximately 37,000-square-foot space, formerly occupied by Recaro Child Safety Systems, began Aug. 1, said Paul Belanger, director of R&D at Gestamp.
Belanger declined to disclose the investment total.
Gestamp plans to move in an initial 20-25 employees in the fourth quarter of this year, with a grand opening in the first quarter of 2017. The facility will be capable of housing 100 employees.
The new digs will be used to design and test advanced new metal stamping parts, including chassis component prototyping, metal fatigue testing, laser cells, hot stamping simulator and metrology laboratories.
Gestamp has not applied for any tax incentives for the expansion, but may do so in the future.
Gestamp is expanding globally, including a recent expansion at its plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., and in Europe.
Article Via Crain’s Detroit
