Acument's transformation over the last couple of years typifies what Metro Detroit's automotive suppliers went through, with loss of work and shrinking of operations. But it's also a promising sign of good things to come as the company positions itself to grow and hire in the near future.
Acument, whose owner Tom Gores is in talks to purchase the Detroit Pistons, was the largest global supplier of fasteners before the downturn. Today it has shrunk its scope to focus on the North and South American markets. That means it has consolidated its headquarters operations to its Sterling Heights plant, keeping it in Metro Detroit.
"That's where we have had our North American headquarters historically," says Timothy Weir, director of communications and public affairs for Acument. The company had looked at moving its headquarters to California, Tennessee, Indiana, or Illinois.
Acument also recently struck a deal with the Michigan Economic Development Corp to expand its Sterling Heights, Holly, and Fenton plants. It expects to hire 50 people in Metro Detroit this year, expanding its workforce to 500 personnel by 2012 and 600 by 2014.
"We believe we are in a position to be a market leader," Weir says.
Source: Timothy Weir, director of communications and public affairs for Acument
Writer: Jon Zemke
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