On June 18, MichAuto joined the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), and Next Street at New Center Stamping to celebrate the official launch of the MI Hub for Manufacturers, a digital platform designed to assist small and medium-sized manufacturers in updating their operations, staying competitive in a transformational economy, and excelling in the future of advanced manufacturing.
Jonathan Smith, Senior Chief Deputy Officer for LEO, opened up the conversation, stating, “As you all know, this is a time of uncertainty. Whether it’s global market shifts, changing policy environments, or fragmented supply chains, it’s creating volatility. The hub is designed to respond to this challenge.”
The hub will accomplish three key objectives: streamline access to technical assistance and funding, help firms modernize, diversify, and adapt to changing demand, and foster stronger connections among manufacturers, startups, and large companies.
Following Smith’s conversation, various supporting individuals and partners gave remarks on the impact the hub will have on Michigan’s advanced manufacturing. The following are a few remarks that were presented:
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II explained the impact the hub will have on advanced manufacturing, stating that it “creates pathways for more people to see success and opportunity being possible when they want to make something that means something and to make it here in the state of Michigan because we will have best in class support, services, connections, funding, programming, and resources.”
To continue, Tom Aepelbacher, President and Chief Executive Officer of New Center Stamping, shared his impactful connection with the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC) through the state of Michigan. This partnership has enabled the training of over 150 individuals at their facility, equipping them with the skills necessary to thrive in the manufacturing sector. Aepelbacher’s dedication to fostering talent strengthens the entire community, showcasing the profound effects of collaboration in driving innovation and growth, as the hub will demonstrate.
To wrap up the conversation, Lisa Lunsford, Chief Executive Officer of GS3 and MichAuto Board Chair, discussed how “Michigan has always been the heartbeat of American manufacturing, but today that heart is beating a little faster.” She said manufacturers are facing intense pressure due to the transformation the automotive industry is undergoing.
“We don’t need another director; we need partners who meet us where they are or where we are,” she said. “One thing is clear: we need the support, transparency, and a more coordinated effort to make everything accessible.”
To wrap up the event, attendees had the opportunity to participate in a guided tour at New Center Stamping, which produces automotive stampings and assemblies for GM, Ford, Stellantis, Volkswagen, and International Motors. What started as a stamping plant in 1919 has evolved into a 320,000-square-foot facility that produces over $30 million annually of automotive components.
This collaborative effort through the MI Hub for Manufacturers marks a pivotal step toward ensuring Michigan’s manufacturing sector not only adapts to current challenges but remains globally competitive.