ZF Expands North American Tech Center

ZF Friedrichshafen AG breaks ground on a 148,000-sq.-ft. (13,750-sq.-m) expansion of its North American Technical Center in Northville, MI.

The expansion will make room for ZF and Sachs engineers to combine operations under one roof to speed component development.

When the facility is complete in October 2004, it will mark the closure of the Sachs Technical Center in Troy, MI, and will house 500 employees. About 120 new jobs will be created by 2005. ZF acquired Sachs automotive operations (shock absorbers, spring struts, clutches, torque converters and transmission components) in 2001.

The expansion is part of ZF's plan to invest $700 million in the U.S. market by the end of 2004. The company also will invest in its facilities in Chicago and Tuscaloosa, AL, and has completed an expansion at its Guadalajara, Mexico, plant.