With $7.3 million invested so far, Magneti Marelli makes Independence Township a player in the global automotive manufacturing industry.
“It’s a great facility and meets the needs of Independence Township,” said Independence Township Treasurer Paul Brown. “This is exactly the type of resident we were looking for.”
Magneti Marelli celebrated its first year in Independence with a ceremony, tours, and family events, Sept. 26.
“We thank Independence Township for their openess to bring us in,” said Plant Manager Antonio Vozzolo. “We’re proud to be a part of the community.”
“It’s all possible because of the power of the people working in this facility,” said Manufacturing Director Giacomo Asteggiano. “I thank the Clarkston team for their commitment and passion.”
The Clarkston plant is the first and most important step in the company’s plan to expand in North America, said Stephane Vedie, Magneti Marelli Holding USA president and CEO.
The township board approved the deal in January 2013, the manufacturer moved into the facility in July, and they started work in October, Vedie said.
“In November, we made our first deliveries. That’s truly unprecedented,” he said. “Our employees have demonstrated a passion to serve customers ? there is impressive potential to grow in the plant and bring in a lot more jobs.”
The facility has 76 employees and is at about 50 percent capacity, he said.
The Italian manufacturer moved into a vacant industrial building on Bow Pointe Drive off Sashabaw Road last year. The company was considering three locations in North America, and Independence Township Board sweetened the deal with a $30,000 tax abatement.
The state-of-the-art, 120,000-square-foot exhaust system manufacturing plant is Magneti Marelli’s first Michigan manufacturing facility.
‘The inauguration of the Independence Township plant is a significant milestone for Magneti Marelli,? Vedie said. ‘With the addition of the exhaust plant, each of the company’s business lines is now represented in North America, providing and expanding footprint to serve our customers here and around the world.?
The plant manufactures hot end exhaust manifolds integrated with catalytic converters, designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Production capacity will be about 300,000 units per year.
All exhaust-system manufacturing operations are performed on site, including forming the canister in which catalyst materials are inserted, and robotic welding of components to create the finished product.
The Independence Township facility is also home to Magneti Marelli Aftermarket North America, which works on the ‘Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar? All Makes Parts program. The program serves Chrysler Group dealerships for all vehicle makes and models, as well as independent repair facilities.’The aftermarket division currently has 18 employees.
Its North American headquarters is in Auburn Hills.