Industry

Mission Focused Michigan Made
Nearly 4,000 Michigan businesses are currently serving the defense, defense aerospace and homeland security industries and there’s room for more.

Michigan’s Top Defense Contractors

General Dynamics Land Systems Inc.
BAE Systems Land & Armaments L.P.
Oshkosh Defense
Kelly Services Inc.
Emergent Biodefense Operations Lansing Llc.
L3 Technologies Inc.
Raytheon
AM General
Regents of The University of Michigan
Peckham Vocational Industries Inc.
LOC Performance Products Inc.
The Christman Company
FCA US Llc.

WHY MICHIGAN?

 

Michigan’s business climate is stronger than ever.

The state is ranked as a Top 10 Pro-Business State, a Top 10 state for major new and expanded corporate facilities and a Top 10 state for aerospace attractiveness. Businesses are choosing Michigan for our diverse and abundant workforce, business-friendly environment, low cost of living and global supply chain assets.

Michigan’s Core Industries

Engineering Design and Development: With over 130,000 engineers statewide, Michigan has the highest concentration of engineers in the nation.

Advanced Manufacturing: Michigan ranks in the top 10 for its number of workers in the skilled trades totaling 250,000 skilled trades workers.

R & D: Home to more than 14,000 manufacturing facilities, world-class R&D centers, and universities, as well as advanced materials development centers.  They drive dual use R&D and an innovation culture producing over 6,000 patents annually.

Michigan: Automotive+Military=Success

Michigan is where the automotive industry got its start. Over 100 years later, it’s still the global center of commercial automotive and military vehicle technology. Locating in Michigan is an opportunity for your company to connect to the next generation of vehicle innovation, as well as leverage world-class research, manufacturing and technology assets.

We are proud of our automotive and national defense history and will continue to lead in its future.

Defense Corridor – Macomb County

The Michigan Defense Corridor is a six-square-mile stretch of land in Macomb County that is anchored by the U.S. Army Detroit Arsenal and the 10 Army Organizations and separate Commands. It represents a multi-billion-dollar industry for Southeast.

With over 650 contractors county wide, Macomb leads the state with 58% of defense contracts awarded to Macomb County companies

To learn more about how to do business in Macomb County click here

Aerospace

With over 690 businesses in Michigan contributing to the industry, Michigan is ranked in the top 10 for Aerospace Manufacturing Attractiveness* based upon tax climate, operating costs, education, and industry representation. (Source: PwC- 2020 Aerospace manufacturing attractiveness rankings, a geographic assessment for aerospace manufacturing investments)

Since 2018, Michigan has attracted nearly $750 million in aerospace capital investment.

It’s not just a corporate presence either; Michigan is home to over 18 educational institutions with aerospace and aviation-related degrees and curriculum, providing the state with a pipeline of skilled workers. The University of Michigan houses the oldest Aerospace Engineering Programs in the country, as well as the no. 3 aerospace engineering program in the nation and 11 additional universities have aerospace departments or programs. Michigan State has the no. 1 logistics and supply chain management school in the nation as well.

Michigan Aerospace Companies

Beaver Aerospace & Defense Inc.
Wineman Technology Inc.
Eaton Aerospace LLC.
MB Aerospace Sterling Heights Inc.
RCO Aerospace
Pratt & Whitney AutoAir Inc.
Brunner Aerospace LLC.
Liebherr– Aerospace
GE Aviation Systems LLC.
Michigan Aerospace Corporation (MAC)
Kalitta Air
Arconic Inc.

Industry 4.0

Michigan is leading the charge in Automation. Industry 4.0 is the Fourth Industrial Revolution, defined as the convergence of digital, biological and physical technologies disrupting manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare and all industries across the globe.

 Michigan Defense Center partners with Automation Alley, Michigan’s Industry 4.0 knowledge center to Identify Michigan defense companies interested in engaging in 8 emerging technology sectors:

  • Additive Manufacturing & Advanced Materials
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Big Data
  • Cloud Computing
  • Cyber Security
  • Modeling, simulation, visualization, immersion
  • Robotics
  • The Industrial Internet of Things

 

Why Industry 4.0 Matters for Michigan

With Michigan’s robust manufacturing industry, there is huge potential for the state to take the lead in the implementation of Industry 4.0. With the help of Automation Alley, the MEDC, and a partnership with the World Economic Forum, Michigan is positioned well to lead the U.S. in Industry 4.0. The Michigan Defense Center is on board to assist Michigan’s defense companies to make the leap into this new industrial revolution.

In May of 2019 Michigan business leaders, Automation Alley and the World Economic Forum came together and established the Michigan Advanced Manufacturing Hub (AMHUB). It will position the state as a global leader for advanced manufacturing, allowing multi-stakeholder collaboration and stay connected globally.

Learn more about how Automation Alley and the state of Michigan are continuing to forge the way of the future for Industry 4.0 to advance and thrive.