Aerospace

The Oakland Aerospace Advantage

Aerospace product manufacturing is one of twenty industries forecasted to grow in the County between 2008 and 2011.  Boeing conducts business with over 286 Michigan-based suppliers resulting in purchases of over $551,900,000.

Forty-seven percent of Oakland County's electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing firms are in the relay and industrial controls industry.  In addition, 16% of the firms produce switchgears/switchboards or current-carrying wiring devices.

Between 2000 and 2007, aerospace companies in Oakland County secured a total of 569 government contracts worth almost $45 million.  The number of government contracts awarded to aerospace companies in Oakland County grew 250 percent over this two year period.

Oakland County aerospace manufacturers are top industry performers.  For example, Williams International of Walled Lake has been voted number one by Professional Pilot Magazine in after sale product support for the past 11 years.

History has proven that Michigan's workforce can successfully apply automotive manufacturing skills to the aerospace industry.  The Ford Willow Run plant produced B-24 bombers throughout WWII, reaching astonishing production levels of fourteen aircraft per day.  During WWII, a Lawrence Technological University alumnus developed the high wing/rear door design still used in cargo aircraft worldwide.

There are nine Michigan universities with departments and/or programs that are associated with the aerospace industry.

Lawrence Technological University's Center for Innovative Materials Research (CIMR) is a $3.2 million, 7,200-square-foot nationally recognized laboratory that specializes in the development of innovative materials and focuses on finding new applications for carbon fiber composites, ceramics and polymers.

According to U.S. News, the University of Michigan Engineering School is ranked 9th in the nation.  Since it was established in 1914, the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Michigan has been recognized as one of the leading aerospace departments in the country.  Currently, the University's Aerospace Engineering program is ranked 5th in the nation (tied with Georgia Institute of Technology and Purdue University).

Aerospace companies in Southeast Michigan have access to six area airports throughout the product development process.

Founded in 2007, the Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association (MAMA) is a Michigan-based association that supports manufacturers in their diversification efforts into the aerospace industry.  Since its inception in 2007, MAMA has grown to 50 members and has helped secure more than $32 million in new business from the aerospace industry.    

Organizations to Support You

    Automation Alley - Southeast Michigan's Regional
       Technology Cluster
    Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association (MAMA)
    Michigan Defense Contract Coordination Center (DC3) 
    Michigan Manufacturers Association
    MMTC - Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center
    National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS
    National Defense Industrial Association
    National Institute Industrial Technology (NIIT)
    Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC)
    Robotics Industry Association (RIA) World Hdqtrs
    Selfridge Air National Guard Base
    Society of Manufacturing Engineers World Hdqtrs

Defense Contracting Michigan Business Tax Credit

Photo: Courtesy Cessna Plane

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