Oakland County, Michigan is home to global leaders in smart manufacturing, with over 65,000 workers employed in manufacturing. Oakland County companies such General Motors, Magna International, Dura Automotive Systems, Dessault Systemes are just a few of the many global leaders integrating new technologies and Industry 4.0 processes, including Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud computing and analytics, and AI and machine learning into their production facilities and throughout their operations.

Indeed, in rankings of traded industry clusters, Oakland County ranks 6th among US counties in metalworking technology, 12th in production technology and heavy machinery, and 34th in information technology analytical instruments.

Importantly, the County recognizes that regions failing to embrace the newest technologies will be left behind. Accordingly, the County is contributing to a number of initiatives that promote the adoption of Industry 4.0 strategies and prepare the workforce of the future:

• The U.S. Centre for Advance Manufacturing, located at Automation Alley in Oakland County, was established in partnership with (the World Economic Forum, the State of Michigan, and Oakland County. The goal of the center is to engage the national manufacturing ecosystem to accelerate the transition towards advanced manufacturing It is the only center of its kind in the US.
• In partnership with Automation Alley, Oakland County launched the nation’s first Industry 4.0 Accelerator program designed to help catalyze technology demonstrations within Michigan’s manufacturing community by sharing the cost of early-stage testing of industry 4.0 technology. One program coming out of this collaboration has been “Project Diamond”, through which 250 3D printers have been distributed to Oakland County manufacturers to drive adoption of Industry 4.0 practices.
• Lawrence Technological University’s Centropolis Accelerator in Southfield, Michigan supports the growth of advanced manufacturing by providing access for hardware entrepreneurs and small manufacturers to funding, experts and key business and product development resources.
• Through the Oakland County Diversification Through Federal Contracting Program, the County offers support for firms interested in expanding their customer base to other industries, through federal contracting.
• The County offers a variety of training programs to build its workforce, including:
  • A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)/Robotics Training program with tuition covered for eligible students
  • Free training for CNC machine operators
  • A no-cost, short-term computer security technician program
  • Advantage: Apprenticeships Funding Program

Oakland County, Michigan is home to over 90 aerospace firms due to its vast advanced manufacturing infrastructure, R&D hub, logistics and supply chain expertise, and skilled workforce with high concentration of engineers all within reach.

Southeast MI

• Home to the nation’s major Department of Defense (DoD) partners and the largest ground vehicle defense companies such as General Dynamics, BAE systems, GM Defense and more.
• Michigan’s defense sector supports more than 166,000 Michigan jobs.
• Nearly 4,000 Michigan businesses are engaged in defense and aerospace work.
• The Defense Industry contributes $30 billion to the economic activity of the State of Michigan
• Michigan has the highest military vehicle production in the U.S. with 37% of total contracts in the country.
• Michigan ranks in the top 10 nationally for aerospace manufacturing attractiveness.

Skilled Workforce

• Michigan ranks 3rd nationally in terms of total engineers with more than 115,000 working in the state.
• Nearby University of Michigan ranks among the top 5 for best aerospace engineering schools in U.S.
• Aerospace is a $970.7 million industry in Michigan – supporting 5,400+ aerospace jobs.

Innovation Powerhouse

• Ninth among all counties in new patents issued (1,300 annually)
• Michigan is world’s automotive R&D hub – 370 R&D Centers

Business Support

With a growing defense cluster, Oakland County launched the Diversification Through Federal Contracting Program to help provide companies with the resources and assistance to win federal contracts. Leveraging training opportunities, proposal writing assistance, locating bids and proposal writing assistance gives companies a competitive advantage.

Learn more at the Federal Contracting page.

Why Oakland County, MI?

At its heart, Oakland County located in Southeast Michigan is a global mobility innovation and R&D powerhouse. Our technical and engineering centers lead the North American mobility revolution as the number of public mobility testing facilities continues to increase in the region.

In addition, we're actively pursuing pilot opportunities for our 1,600 signalized intersections to improve travel flow, increase safety for vulnerable road users, and begin preparations for advanced ADAS and autonomous vehicle to infrastructure communications.

Things to Note

• Pilot Grant Opportunities available through the State of Michigan's Office of Future Mobility & Electrification
• Oakland County Road Commission will provide in-kind labor to deploy roadside units for pilots
• Advancing EV Charger Deployment: Following NEVI guidelines, we’ve worked with our partners to identify optimal locations and funding sources, as well as coordinate on best practices with our 62 Cities, Villages, and Townships and other counties in our region

Access to Public Testing Facilities

North America’s largest regional cluster of public mobility testing sites.

Closed Track

• American Center for Mobility
• Detroit Smart Parking Lab
• University of Michigan’s M City
• Kettering University’s GM Mobility Research Center
• M1 Concourse Track, Pontiac

Wireless Lab

• Oakland University Outdoor Automotive Antenna Range

Off-Road Testing

• Oakland County Off-Road Vehicle Park, Holly

Fast Facts

• #1 State for Connected Vehicles – U.S. DOT-Funded Operational Deployment & Largest U.S. Deployment of V21 with 600 miles in Michigan.
• $15.8 Billion Spent in Auto R&D Annually
• 26 OEM Vehicle Manufacturers in Michigan
• $10.6 Billion Invested in Michigan by EV/AV firms between 2010-2020
• 29,805 Software Developers in Region

Contact

Chris Olzem
248-202-9138
olzemc@oakgov.com

Invest in Oakland County, Michigan

With over 115,000 engineers statewide, Michigan has the highest concentration of engineers in the nation, with 30,000+ working right here in Oakland County. R&D is at the center of it all, with Oakland County ranking 9th among all U.S. Counties for new patents with 1,300 issued annually.

Because of the region’s strengths in engineering and R&D, Oakland County has been a magnet for attracting research and technology centers—particularly related to the automotive and advanced manufacturing industries.

Proximity to customers and the county’s geographic location—near the Canadian border and at the cross-roads of major transcontinental highways – also have made it a preferred location for North American headquarters. As a result, Oakland County has attracted investors from all over the world.

Key Facts about Southeast Michigan

• Southeast Michigan is #1 for industrial robots with more than 15,000 deployed
• #2 Metro for Engineering Talent – 89,041 Engineers & Technicians
• Southeast MI ranks #1 in U.S. for Assemblers & Production - 201,181 total jobs.
• 80,029 engineers ranking #2 for total talent per capita.
  
  • 70% of Michigan’s total is in Southeast MI.

Key Facts about Michigan

• Michigan ranks 3rd nationally in terms of total engineers
• Michigan colleges and universities graduate more than 10,000 engineers and engineering technicians each year including University of Michigan, Michigan State and Oakland University.
• Michigan business spent $22.1 billion on R&D in 2018, ranking 4th in nation.
• Michigan ranks 6th in the nation for patent awards.
• Michigan is the world’s automotive R&D hub with 370 R&D centers/70% of the United State’s
• More than a quarter of all engineers (30,000+) working in Michigan work in Oakland County. Including 4,500 commercial and industrial designers – most in the nation!

Additional Resources

• Project DIAMOnD
• Diversification Through Federal Contracting
• Defense Conference & B2B Summit
• Export Trade/International Business