Henniges Automotive Breaks Ground for New LEED Certified World Headquarters

Posted on August 19, 2011

The City of Auburn Hills, a dynamic community committed to innovation and growth, is welcoming the world headquarters of Henniges Automotive, a leading supplier of sealing and anti-vibration systems to the global automotive industry, to the ranks of international corporations located here. Currently located in Farmington Hills, with operations in North America, Europe and China, Henniges Automotive employs 4,500 associates worldwide with 141 professional and technical associates located at the world headquarters facility. Henniges has recently hired about 20 associates and expects continued growth in Auburn Hills.

“Moving to Auburn Hills will allow Henniges the opportunity to create an exceptional world headquarters facility that meets our specific needs in both size and work space design,” says Henniges’ CEO, Robert DePierre. “It will also allow us the unique opportunity to design a facility that is energy efficient and environmentally friendly, which was an important part of our decision to build. We are looking forward to working with the City of Auburn Hills, Schostak Brothers and General Development on this exciting project and look forward to an ongoing positive relationship with the local community as well.”

The Henniges headquarters will be 55,000 square feet and is located on High Meadow Circle in the Oakland Technology Park, near the intersection of I-75 and University. The building is expected to be ready for occupancy by June 2012. Livonia-based Schostak Brothers and Company, Inc. is the building owner and developer and General Development is the general contractor.

“We are very pleased to bring such an excellent company like Henniges Automotive to Auburn Hills and Oakland Technology Park,” offers Jeffrey Schostak, Director of Corporate Real Estate Services for Schostak. “This is another example that business is starting to pick up here in Michigan and that the auto companies are back on the right track.”

Oakland Technology Park was formed in 2010, following the purchase of 211 acres by SE Michigan-based developers General Development, L.L.C. and Premier Equities from the former Chrysler Corporation. At the time, Oakland Technology Park was said to represent a new era of future development for Auburn Hills. Even at this young stage, that is proving to be the case.

“Henniges is exactly the type of company we thought would be attracted to the Oakland Technology Park – an industry leader that wants a globally recognized business address,” acknowledges Bruce Brickman, Principal of General Development. “USFarathane was the first company to break ground in Oakland Technology Park in May 2010 and they are thriving at this new location. In addition to Henniges, we also have other significant deals in the advanced stages of discussion, so there’s no question that Oakland Technology Park’s presence in the local market is gaining attention.”

Auburn Hills City Manager Pete Auger says the fast growth of the Oakland Technology Park confirms the City’s appeal to business, especially those with global operations.

“With 40 international companies from 32 different countries located in Auburn Hills, we have earned the right early in our City’s history to call Auburn Hills the premier global manufacturing address in the Midwest,” states Auger. “Our success in attracting Henniges and other national and international manufacturers to the City, either directly or through developers, reaffirms that the Auburn Hills Advantage includes our reputation for being nimble, resourceful and business-friendly.”

Auger adds that Henniges’ aim for LEED Certification will be supported by the City, which was the first in Michigan to have a policy that encourages and assists developers in seeking LEED certification.

“Even companies that aren’t as aggressive in obtaining LEED certification as Henniges tend to surpass their initial goals for energy efficiencies because Auburn Hills’ personnel have the knowledge to guide them during the building process,” explains Auger.

Financing for the new Henniges world headquarters is through the PrivateBank.

“The PrivateBank is proud to support Michigan’s return to strength by providing the financing that will help Schostak Brothers bring this project to life and provide Henniges Automotive with the foundation for continued growth,” offers Gregg Speaks, Managing Director, Commercial Real Estate at The PrivateBank.