CW Bearing US is reportedly planning a USD25.9-million investment into a new US headquarters and technical centre, reports Crain's Detroit Business. The company, a subsidiary of Cixing Group in China, will build a 50,000-square-foot development and create 125 jobs in the city of Northville (Michigan, United States). The new headquarters will house engineering, sales and executive staff. Currently, CW Bearing has a headquarters in Tustin (California, United States), with sales offices in St Louis, Missouri; Midland, North Carolina; and Novi, Michigan.
Significance: The announcement of the new headquarters came from the office of the governor of the state of Michigan, who had recently finished a trip to China designed to increase economic ties between China and Michigan. CW Bearing's investment will be supported by a USD550,000 performance-based grant from Michigan, as well as a property-tax abatement from Northville Township, the city which will be home to the new offices. It is not clear if CW Bearings will close any of its sales offices, or if the new headquarters will largely be staffed from those already employed in other offices, or if the company is creating 125 jobs new to CW Bearing as well as to Michigan. Michigan has scored investment from other Chinese suppliers of late, as well as from India's Mahindra. With a robust automotive manufacturer and supply base, the state has a large talent pool to draw from.
