New occupant possible for former Chrysler Mopar Building in Huron Township

May 9, 2012 - PRLog -- Brose North America Inc, a German automotive supplier has shown interest in the former Chrysler Mopar site to acquire the facility. They have operated a Warren facility for the past 25 years.

The property at 23400 Bell Road was discussed at a Board of Trustees meeting and The Brose representatives were applying for an Act 328 personal property tax abatement to purchase the property. If the deal can be completed, Brose hopes to begin some production by the end of this year. The new factory would bring about 450 jobs to the township and cost Brose about $60 million over five years. The Bell Road property is about 390,000 square feet.

An abatement would exempt the company from paying personal property taxes on newly purchased items such as equipment for 12 years. The public hearing has been held and has been approved unanimously.

The Coburg, Germany-based company recently surpassed $1 billion in annual sales, according to Scott Trujillo, Brose North America chief financial officer.

Recent growth with Ford and Chrysler required Brose to expand operations in the Midwest, Trujillo said, thus the interest in property in the township.

LDFA Chairman RP Lilly is excited that this project will bring new jobs, not just relocated jobs. “This will be a great addition to our industrial park area which is growing,” said Lilly, “We hope additional suppliers will consider this convenient and premium LDFA vicinity to relocate.”

The large number of jobs is possible because the size of the property would allow Brose to bring various production lines from around the world to the facility.

Chrysler Mopar , who previously occupied site has been gone a few years now, “We certainly hope the negotiations work out,” said Lilly.