New Auburn Hills technical center to hire 153 over 5 years

German-head-quartered Kolbenschmidt Pierburg (KSPG), which develops and manufactures powertrain components, is opening a new technical center in Auburn Hills that will employ 153 within five years. The $11 million investment was made possible by a $3.4 million state tax abatement coupled with a $167,000 local one, both over eight years.

The company had already been growing its local presence -- from 12 to 45 over the last few years, says Paul J. Klapproth, KSPG's director of marketing. Currently situated in Southfield, they will move to the Auburn Hills facility that is currently being built-out by December. Several of KSPG's divisions will share resources at the new facility. Citing CAD and machine shops as examples, the new center will "bring us all together so we can utilize all resources collectively," says Klapproth.

The facility will develop KSPG products for the global market. The company has one such center in Germany and another in Japan; the Auburn Hills location will serve as its North American product development head-quarters.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation estimates that the new technical center will add another 200 jobs indirectly which Klapproth believes will be in construction and with suppliers.

Source: Paul J. Klapproth, KSPG
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh