Accenture today announced it would relocate its office to downtown Detroit from Southfield this fall, and that it launched an innovation hub in Livonia designed to help companies in the automotive, industrial equipment, technology, energy, and utilities industries address the shift to digital products and services, transform their engineering, manufacturing, and field operations, and digitize their enterprises. The company will also add 200 technology jobs to the local market by the end of 2020.
The new office location will be announced in the coming weeks.
“Continuous innovation is an imperative to succeed in today’s digital economy,” says Julie Sweet, CEO of Accenture’s North American operations. “In metro Detroit we are bringing innovation to our clients’ doorsteps to help them achieve tangible, ground-breaking results faster than ever. Our investment in innovation is an investment in our clients, our people, and the communities in which we work and live.”
The Livonia hub includes an Industry X.0 Innovation Center where clients can explore, co-create, test, and scale digital solutions that improve product development, engineering, manufacturing, customer experience, and cybersecurity. Clients will also be able to develop and prototype new capabilities.
“Manufacturing companies across all industries are under tremendous pressure to reinvent and digitize their businesses,” says Brian Irwin, leader of the company’s industrial practice in North America. “Our new innovation hub in metro Detroit complements our other Industry X.0 Innovation centers, including those in Garching, Germany and Modena, Italy that have a strong focus on automotive. We are bringing our global experience and expertise to clients in North America who are exploring the impact of Industry X.0.”
The Livonia hub is the eighth such Accenture facility in the U.S., with other locations in Boston; Chicago; Columbus, Ohio; Houston; New York; San Jose; and Washington, D.C.
“As a global leader in innovation and technology, Accenture’s decision to invest in Michigan — and here in metro Detroit — is further evidence that we are a top-choice for businesses and that the revitalization of our economy is stronger than ever,” says Jeff Mason, CEO of Michigan Economic Development Corp.
Accenture is also expanding its metro Detroit apprenticeship program in partnership with Grand Circus, a nonprofit technical education organization located in the Broderick Tower in downtown Detroit that helps develop Michigan’s tech workforce. Through its Skills to Succeed corporate citizenship initiative, Accenture partners with several local organizations, including Detroit Employment Solutions Corp., Upwardly Global, Junior Achievement, Covenant House, and Tech Town to deliver skill-development programs across metro Detroit.
“We welcome Accenture’s decision to expand its commitments in the Detroit area and appreciate the highly skilled opportunities the company is creating for our talented workforce,” says Michigan Governor Rick Snyder. “Accenture’s investment is a testament to Michigan’s history of innovation and our growing talent base.”
Accenture employs more than 850 people in metro Detroit and works with companies in the region across the automotive, consumer goods and services, education, health, insurance, and retail industries. Earlier this year, it acquired Mackevision, a global producer of 3-D-enabled and immersive product content, and Meredith Xcelerated Marketing.
Accenture is a professional services company with global headquarters in Ireland.
