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GKN Automotive recently officially christened its new regional headquarters for the Americas with a grand opening event for customers, employees and state, county and local government officials. The new facility is home to the company’s GKN Driveline and GKN Sinter Metals divisions.
In addition to serving as regional headquarters for GKN Driveline and GKN Sinter Metals, the new site also houses employees from GKN’s Land Systems and North American Services groups. The 168,000-square-foot facility is located on an 11.2-acre site at 2200 N. Opdyke Road, previously occupied by Showcase Cinema.
GKN Driveline is the world’s leading producer of automotive driveline components and systems, including constant-velocity-joint, all-wheel-drive, trans-axle and electric-drive systems. GKN Sinter Metals is the world’s largest producer of precision powder-metal products.
“This new facility is located in the heart of the global auto industry and is well-situated to serve our customers and continue to attract top talent,” said Robert Willig, president, GKN Driveline Americas. “We have been headquartered in Auburn Hills since 1986 and have seen Oakland County and the state of Michigan continue to grow in automotive industry prominence. This is an incredible location for operating in today’s global auto industry.”
Steve Lachance, vice president engineering, GKN Driveline Americas added: “This state-of-the-art facility has significantly increased our engineering capacity. As the industry continues to evolve into a more technology driven business, engineering excellence will be the prime differentiator for successful automotive suppliers. This facility and this location leave GKN well-positioned for a leadership role.”
The facility supports GKN, which recently won a prestigious Automotive News PACE Award for its two-speed eAxle, to develop the automotive technology of the future, particularly in meeting the growth in demand for all-wheel drive and hybrid electric vehicles. GKN’s new headquarters, which houses 350 employees with capacity for more, provides state-of-the-art testing and validation equipment, along with additional engineering design areas for driveline and sinter metal products. The new facility provides the company with an additional 20 percent more space for engineering and testing activities.
GKN officials acknowledged the tremendous support provided for the project by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder’s office, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Oakland County and the City of Auburn Hills.
“Government support for this project, at the state, county and local level has been incredible,” Willig said. “It is easy to see why this region continues to be a global leader in the automotive industry, given the tremendous political leaders with whom we were fortunate enough to work.”
A few interesting facts about GKN’s new facility:
- 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. All metals from the previous structure were sorted and recycled.
- There are 21 conference rooms in the new building. All rooms are named after lakes in Michigan.
- The site has been reforested with new trees including more than 25 evergreen trees that are 20 feet or taller along its north property line to give the site a corporate park feel.
