By Doug Cunningham
As the New Year dawns Michigan’s automotive sector continues to hold economic promise for Southwest Michigan. Cornerstone Alliance president and CEO Rob Cleveland says manufacturing has changed a lot but modern manufacturing, while highly automated, still creates good jobs.
“We see several of our manufacturers are doing really unique things with technology to support OEM’s. And we keep a close eye on the automotive industry and we think the automotive sector is strong,” says Cleveland.
He says research indicates as many as 17 million vehicles will continue to be sold each year in the U.S. into the foreseeable future. Cleveland says manufacturing economic development here in southwest Michigan that supports the auto industry is part of a global network.
“Companies in our community are doing well. They’re still looking for people. They’re growing, whether it’s Kay Manufacturing who does a very specific piece for the auto industry or somebody like JR Automation or Eagle Technologies that make the automation for these companies.”
Cleveland also cited Dicastal, a Chinese based company that makes wheels for the auto industry. Cornerstone Alliance succeeded in bringing them to Hagar Township to employ around 100 people.
