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GKN Automotive Celebrates Its New Digs

M 24 Palace Gkn Before After 2014 High Res 01

Posted by – Steve Cohen, Director of Community Development

It’s a very exciting time in the City of Auburn Hills.  A time of tremendous hope for the future of our community.

GKN Automotive ... Thank You!

GKN Automotive … Thank You!

Last Thursday, GKN Automotive celebrated its new 168,000 sq. ft. headquarters for the Americas with a very nice grand opening event.  The new facility located at 2200 N. Opdyke Road is home to the company’s GKN Driveline and GKN Sinter Metals divisions.

Yes, the site of the former dilapidated Showcase Cinemas is now a $23 million state-of-the-art automotive engineering showcase that employs over 350 people.  It’s amazing what can be done when the public and private sector work together on a singular goal.

Auburn Hills Mayor Pro-Tem Bob Kittle (second to the right next to Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson) was one of the dignitaries who spoke at the event and cut the ribbon

Auburn Hills Mayor Pro-Tem Bob Kittle (second to the right next to Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson) was one of the dignitaries who spoke at the event and cut the ribbon

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.

Robert Willig, President of GKN Driveline Americas, explained in his remarks to the large crowd gathered under a big tent in the parking lot of the facility, “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.”

Mr. Willig was very kind to acknowledge several times in his comments the support of State of Michigan, Oakland County, and the City of Auburn Hills in helping to make this very complex project a reality.  “Government support for this project, at the state, county and local level has been incredible,” Willig said. “It’s 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.”

The opening of this facility was a landmark day for the City of Auburn Hills

The opening of this facility was a landmark day for the City of Auburn Hills

Auburn Hills is honored GKN Automotive chose to re-invest and remain in our community.  We feel very fortunate, as well.