German 3D Printer Brings First U.S. Center To Michigan
CANTON (WWJ/AP) - A German 3D printing company has announced it will locate its first U.S. facility in Michigan after representatives met with Gov. Rick Snyder in Germany.
Friedberg-based Voxeljet uses large-format 3D printers to create automotive parts and molds. Snyder met with Voxeljet's chief executive during the governor's second trade trip to Europe this week.
"The decision to place voxeljet's first U.S. service center in Michigan is based on the proximity of the site to potential customers in the Midwest region that form a significant part of the U.S. automobile industry and its supply chain," said Dr. Ingo Ederer, voxeljet's chief executive officer, in a release. "While voxeljet's customers span a range of industries, the auto industry is currently the heaviest user of our 3-D printing technology. We have extensive experience serving the 3D printing needs of European automakers and we look forward to serving manufacturers in the U.S."
Snyder's administration says the company's Michigan service center is expected to begin operations in the Detroit suburb of Canton later this year. It says the center will create 15-20 high-tech manufacturing jobs.
Snyder said the company's decision to locate in Michigan "underscores our state's attractiveness to leading-edge, global companies."
"The marketplace today is global and to stay competitive, we must be aggressive in reaching out to world-class companies and continue our push that creates more and better jobs for Michiganders," Snyder said.
The governor also will meet with auto industry leaders in Italy before returning to Michigan later this week.
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