GKN Automotive has moved into a new regional headquarters for the Americas in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
The new building houses the driveline and sinter metals divisions along with employees from the Land Systems and North American Services groups. The 168,000 sq ft facility is on an 11.2 acre site previously occupied by a Showcase cinema.
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Headquartered in Auburn Hills since 1986, GKN has more than 350 employees at its new location. In addition to workers from the previous headquarters, the supplier consolidated an additional 40 from a facility at Mound Road in Sterling Heights, Michigan.
The new HQ houses testing and validation equipment along with additional engineering design areas for driveline and sinter metal products. There is an additional 20% more space for engineering and testing activities.
“Moving into the new facility is an important step in supporting our customers around the world,” said Robert Willig, president, GKN Driveline Americas. “Automakers are looking for supplier partners that can support their business globally and also provide a technical advantage that will increase vehicle performance, improve vehicle efficiency and meet the end customer’s need for performance and functionality. Increasing our engineering resources in terms of equipment and talent will give GKN Driveline a significant competitive edge.”
Chris Franks, president, GKN Sinter Metals Americas, said: “Our new home is strategically located near many of our global customers and will give us access to the additional resources needed to provide world-class products and customer service. In addition, because we are centrally located in the heart of the automotive capital, we are well positioned to attract additional talent throughout the company.”
GKN Driveline’s range of components and systems includes constant-velocity joint, all wheel drive, transaxle and electric drive systems. GKN Sinter Metals claims to be the world’s largest producer of precision powder-metal products.
GKN noted that the the old Showcase Cinema building foundation and its parking lot were both recycled and used as base material for the new building and parking lot and all metals from the previous structure were sorted and recycled.
