Windsor, Ontario-based Valiant International Inc., a manufacturer of automated systems and tooling, will expand its operations in Oakland County with the purchase of a 190,000-square-foot facility in Auburn Hills, officials announced today.
The Michigan Strategic Fund board approved a $2.3 million performance-based grant for Valiant’s project, which is expected to generate an investment of nearly $33 million and create more than 200 jobs over the next three years. The skilled-trade positions are expected to pay about $47 per hour.
“We appreciate their commitment to the Michigan economy, and know they’ll find Michigan is the preeminent business environment to grow their endeavors in the automotive, aerospace, defense, and construction industries,” says Steve Arwood, CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corp.
The facility will be dedicated to manufacturing the body-in-white or automotive skeletons, which are vehicle bodies excluding welded parts. Valiant will consolidate its sales operation in Troy and establish a skilled-trade training site for apprentices to learn machine operating, welding, and other metal-working skills.
The city of Auburn Hills will provide an eight-year property tax abatement.
“As a growing private Canadian company, Valiant joins six other Canadian companies already having a large presence in Auburn Hills,” says Kevin McDaniel, mayor of Auburn Hills.
Valiant, founded in 1959, employs about 1,400 people in 23 facilities across 14 countries.
