Oxford Township’s economic future is getting a whole lot brighter with the prospect of up to 200 new jobs coming into the community.
The Detroit-based American Axle and Manufacturing, Inc. is locating some of its operations to a vacant 50,000-square-foot industrial building at 2300 X-Celsior Drive, across from Steel Master Transfer, Inc.
‘I can confirm that we’ve purchased some property and we’re going to be doing some operations and expansion of our business in that location,? said Renee Rogers, a spokesperson for American Axle.
Founded in 1994, American Axle designs, engineers, tests, validates and manufactures driveline, drivetrain and chassis systems, related components, and metal formed products for light trucks and buses, sport utility vehicles, crossover vehicles, and passenger cars.
In addition to locations in the United States (in Michigan, New York and Ohio), American Axle also has offices or facilities in Brazil, China, England, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Scotland and South Korea.
According to Oakland County Equalization, the property at 2300 X-Celsior was sold on Sept. 4. It was transferred from James and Betty Guy to Oxford Forge, Inc.
The listed address for Oxford Forge, Inc. is 1 Dauch Drive in Detroit, the same address as American Axle’s world headquarters.
American Axle already has one facility in Oxford, MSP Industries located at 45 W. Oakwood Rd.
American Axle’s new location on X-Celsior Drive, which previously housed Talon Automotive Group’s Hawthorne Production Stamping Plant, will support MSP’s work.
‘We’re going to be supplementing operations that we have up there in that region,? Rogers said.
When asked how many jobs the new facility will create, Rogers replied, ‘I really couldn’t say. It’s very preliminary right now.?
‘I know everybody’s interested in jobs, but I can’t at this point even begin to talk about that because I don’t know,? she said.
Sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said American Axle’s move into the existing building will bring in about 80 new jobs right away.
However, those same sources reported that American Axle has either purchased or has an option to purchase approximately 20 acres of vacant land on X-Celsior, also owned by Guy, to build a 300,000 square-foot facility.
If this happens, American Axle’s presence here could mean up to 200 new jobs in all.
American Axle’s arrival in the township is good news to neighbor Steel Master Transfer, Inc.
‘We’re in automation and we do work for them,? said James Shook, president of Steel Master. ‘So it’s going to work out real well for us.?
‘It’s good for us. It’s good for the community. It’s good for Oxford,? Shook added.
Sources confirmed American Axle plans to seek tax abatements from the township board.
Supervisor Bill Dunn had no comment about American Axle’s arrival or the prospect of tax abatements.