November 7, 2018

Giffin to expand presence in Auburn Hills with $9 million manufacturing center

By: Anisa Jibrell- Crain’s Detroit
Supplier is awaiting approval from City Council
Manufacturing center will produce paint finishing systems
New center will create 65 jobs to start, bringing total to 165

Giffin Inc. plans to invest $9 million into a new 100,000-square-foot manufacturing center in Auburn Hills, expanding its presence in the Oakland County city, officials announced Tuesday.

The supplier is awaiting approval from the city for its plans at 4444 Giddings Road alongside the supplier’s headquarters and R&D center. The new facility will produce paint finishing systems, such as robotic paint spray booths, according to a post from the city.

Giffin declined to comment on the reason for the expansion.

In 2010, the supplier bought the adjacent 125,000-square-foot building at 1900 Brown Road for $5 million and relocated its headquarters and manufacturing operations there from Farmington Hills in 2011.

Farmington Hills-based developer J.B. Donaldson Co. submitted a development proposal for the manufacturing center, which will create approximately 65 more jobs to start, Steven Cohen, director of community development for the city of Auburn Hills, confirmed in an email to Crain’s.

Total Giffin employment at both buildings is projected to be 165 people.

If approved by City Council on Nov. 26, construction would begin in February, the post said. The developer told Crain’s the project will probably be completed by November 2019.

Giffin is a full-service system supplier, catering to automotive, aerospace, agricultural, health care and large truck manufacturing sectors.