Dustin Walsh
CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS
Published: January 14, 2014 3:19 pm ET
Updated: January 14, 2014 5:46 pm ET
DETROIT — Denso International America Inc. announced Tuesday it is expanding its North American headquarters in Southfield, Mich.
The supplier purchased a 140,000-square-foot building next to its current campus near Telegraph Road and Civic Center Drive in Southfield, Terry Helgesen, senior vice president of industry operations said at a news conference at the North American International Auto Show.
The new facility will include research and development labs and testing of electric vehicle, direct injection, alternators, HVAC and infotainment and connectivity components.
The $10 million investment was spurred by rapid growth in North America, Helgesen said.
Last year, Denso announced a $750 million investment in the U.S, including 1,200 new jobs over a four-year period. Helgesen said the supplier is ahead of schedule and has already hired 1,100 in the U.S., including hundreds at its plant in Battle Creek. Denso has hired 425 in Michigan since last year's announcement and continues to reach the goal of investing $150 million in the state.
"When expanding your R&D capabilities, sometimes you need a little more room," Helgesen said.
As part of the new expansion, Denso is hiring 176 new employees in engineering, sales and technical jobs through 2015, he said.
As part of its manufacturing efforts, Denso is doubling its previously announced investing by adding an additional $55 million and adding 130 new jobs to its plant in Athens, Tenn. | 
