The process, according to the company, is more cost-effective than conventional pressing. Because the accuracy and size of things are robotically controlled, it uses no press tooling or dies.
    
Tomcar USA
In Michigan’s ongoing effort to attract new investment in the state, Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Michigan Economic Development Corp. President and CEO James Epolito visited various auto companies, including EDAG, during a three-week stay in Europe in mid-2007. During their visit, EDAG announced plans to invest capital dollars to expand its Michigan operations in 2008 and 2009.    

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm and EDAG CEO Klaus Blickle

One of the resulting projects was a $9.5 million investment in EDAG’s Auburn Hills facility to allow for the assembly of the Tomcar, an off-road vehicle. In early April, Tomcar USA and EDAG introduced the new 85,000-square-foot contract production facility. The plant can produce 10,200 Tomcar vehicles per year when fully operational, although Amelung says it will only ramp up production from the current 500 per year when necessary.

The manufacturing facility represents the first full-scale manufacturing site for Tomcar, which previously had limited production at its U.S. headquarters in Phoenix.

Michigan’s New Economy
Sustaining Michigan's reputation as a high-tech leader in the automotive industry has taken significant investment from pro-business entities such as Michigan's Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) and the state government.

For the past year, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm and MEDC President and CEO James Epolito have been intent on bringing international investment to the state. In several cases, these efforts have been successful, including the recent opening of the Tomcar assembly line at EDAG's facility in Auburn Hills, Mich.

In recent discussions with Manufacturing Today, both Gov. Granholm and Epolito addressed the state of Michigan's economy, plans to secure additional investments from foreign business and the direction of the auto industry.

Manufacturing Today: Given the current economic climate, what is your strategy to grow Michigan business and industry? Is the state still considered pro-business? 
Gov. Jennifer Granholm: Michigan has the most aggressive strategy of any state in the nation to grow our economy and create jobs. We are developing new, high-tech sectors that leverage our strong manufacturing base through programs like the 21st Century Jobs Fund. This $2 billion, 10-year initiative is accelerating diversification by encouraging the growth of four competitive-edge technologies: alternative energy, advanced manufacturing, life sciences and homeland security and defense.    

In addition to the 21st Century Jobs Fund, Michigan offers a wide range of economic development programs and corporate incentives, a K-12 education system with some of the highest high school graduation standards in the nation, a highly skilled work force and unsurpassed quality of life. Our state can give businesses the edge they need to compete in this fierce global market.

MT: There have been a few recent successes in getting foreign-based companies to expand in Michigan. How do you plan to sustain this kind of growth in the number of investments from automakers and engineers?
JG: To continue that success, I'll continue to go anywhere and do anything to bring good-paying jobs and investment to Michigan. We have ramped up our efforts throughout the world to sell our state as the best place in North America for companies to invest, and have secured some great successes. In fact, since 2003, we have brought in more than $3.7 billion in new foreign investment to Michigan and can now boast being home to more than 3,760 companies and subsidiaries from 40 countries and encompassing all industries.