500 New Manufacturing Jobs Headed to Detroit

Aug. 23, 2012

Detroit Manufacturing Systems, a joint venture of Rush Group, the largest Native American enterprise in the country, and France-based supplier Faurecia, opens plant to supply Ford Motor Co.

Adrienne Selko

With the opening on Wednesday of the Detroit Manufacturing systems (DMS), an auto parts manufacturer in the city's Gateway Industrial Center, Detroit will gain 572 jobs over the next five years.

The company, which will invest $29 million in the facility, is a joint venture of Rush Group, the largest Native American enterprise in the country, and France-based supplier Faurecia.

The plant, which opened in May is producing instrument panels for the Mustang.

In October the company will build a second assembly line to make interior parts for the Lincoln Navigator and Ford Expedition full-size SUVs. And in 2013 ,more lines will be added to supply the Ford’s F-150, the Lincoln MKS , Lincoln MKT and the Ford Focus.

The company received assistance through a variety of government sources. The Michigan Economic Development Corp. supported DMS with a Michigan Economic Growth Authority tax credit valued at up to $4,055,642. And the Detroit Economic Growth Corp, worked with DMS to secure a 12-year property tax abatement valued at approximately $4.2 million.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.