Executive Office of the Governor Communications Division
Sept. 8, 2023
LANSING, Mich. — On the second day of her investment mission to Japan, Gov. Whitmer secured $63 million from global mobility supplier DENSO in its Battle Creek thermal manufacturing facility to retool production lines, accommodating product offerings that will support the electrification of vehicles in the years ahead. The project will ensure DENSO’s continued green mobility transformation in Michigan, where the company has more than 3,500 employees at several locations across the state, including its North American headquarters and technical center in Southfield. More than 2,100 employees are based at the thermal facility in Battle Creek.
The project was announced at DENSO’s Global Headquarters in Japan. The Governor was joined by members of Team Michigan, including Quentin L. Messer, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and DENSO board members and executives, among other company leaders.
DENSO is an active member on the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Talent Action Team. In the collaboration, the company has partnered with the state to develop and pilot the EV scholar’s program to enhance the talent pipeline for the EV transition and to upskill those already in the workforce through Michigan Works!. DENSO will also continue to work with the state of Michigan and other community partners on issues that help make southwest Michigan a desirable place to live and work, including workforce development, childcare and housing access.
The Governor also met with leadership at AISIN Corporation, one of the largest Tier One automotive parts and systems suppliers in the world. AISIN currently has six locations throughout Michigan and proudly conducts 100% of its research and development and sales and marketing activities from strategic locations in Michigan.
The trip also included a visit with leadership at Musashi, a global Tier 1 automotive parts supplier with Michigan locations in both Battle Creek and Troy that is expanding into new industries, including launching energy storage solutions in North America.
The state of Michigan has a long and rich history with Japan, with more than 5,300 jobs being created in Michigan by Japanese businesses through more than $1.8 billion in private investment in the past 10 years. According to the Japanese Consulate in Detroit, there are currently 456 Japanese facilities in Michigan which support more than 39,890 jobs in the state. A third of those jobs are direct manufacturing positions.
