Southfield-Based SmartZone Thrives

    SOUTHFIELD, Mich.--Sept. 27, 2002--Oakland Automation Alley SmartZone(TM), centered in northwestern Southfield, continues to develop as one of Michigan's preeminent R&D/high-tech areas.
    Southfield already is home to 400-plus high-tech companies, more than any other Michigan city, and counts many industry giants among its 8,600 firms and 140 "Fortune 500s."
    The SmartZone(TM) is located in Oakland County, the home of Automation Alley and boasting one of the largest high-tech workforces in the nation, ranking behind only California's Silicon Valley and Boston's Route 128. One-third of Michigan's R&D firms are in Oakland County, the state's international commercial center, with 565 companies representing 25 countries, 25% of them in Southfield. Automation Alley, a technology-based cluster in Oakland County, has nearly 500 members.
    The Southfield-based SmartZone(TM), located in I-696/Franklin/ 11 Mile area, is anchored by the American Center, Southfield's first high-rise, and American Commerce Center, the city's first designated R&D park.
    The 25-year-old, 25-story, silver-facaded American Center recently was honored as a federally-designated EnergyStar(R) building for a major HVAC retrofitting, resulting in significant savings to owner REDICO while providing a state-of-the-art building environment for tenants. The building features a fresh, new lobby, outstanding panoramic views and new services thanks to REDICO's $5-million facelift. Up to 250,000 square feet recently became available for lease through Signature Associates/ONCOR International, (248)948-9000.
    American Commerce Center, a 77-acre R&D park by The Jonna Companies, has more than 225,000 square feet of space featuring notables Panasonic Automotive Electronics' and Barton Malow Corp.'s world headquarters, Infinity Broadcasting/CBS Radio, Alcoa Automotive and Canon Copiers.
    The Jonna Companies recently announced the tenancy of the headquarters of Autoliv Electronics America, part of Autoliv Electronics Division, whose parent company, Autoliv, is a Swedish automotive safety firm with 80 subsidiaries and joint ventures in 29 countries. The firm will occupy the newly-expanded former 20,000-square-foot Lotus Engineering building. About 115 former Visteon electronic engineers and restraint electronics employees from Autoliv North America begin moving into the facility on Oct. 4. Heading the new operations is Steve Rode.
    Autoliv's inventions include the "Inflatable Curtain" side impact head airbag, rollover protection and night vision systems. The firm recently acquired Visteon's $150-million restraint electronics business, including 100 electronic engineering employees at Visteon's former advanced engineering facility in Dearborn. Autoliv also acquired Visteon's operations in Markham, Ontario, where electronic control units, airbag sensors and other auto safety systems are manufactured, which has become the manufacturing facility for Autoliv Electronics America. The firm has one-third of the U.S. airbag market and, with the acquisition of Visteon's division, Autoliv's safety electronics sales now total $325-million annually, about 15% of the world market.
    Company spokesperson Ove Salomonsson noted that Autoliv Electronics America selected Southfield because "We found Southfield to be the 'pole position' when it comes to closeness to all major OEM customers (vehicle manufacturers); the location we have chosen also is immediately accessible to major highways in the area."
    Under construction at the American Commerce Center is a two-story, 31,000-square-foot facility for Quadrants, Inc., a construction/architectural/engineering firm specializing in R&D/technology, commercial and industrial; that building already is 65% pre-leased. An additional 250,000 square feet of space is available at the Center; call Signature Associates/ONCOR International, (248)948-9000.
    Immediately adjacent to American Commerce Center is Transwestern Commercial Services' Southfield Crossing, a 63,288-square-foot facility housing international engineering/architectural firm Sverdrup Technology; other tenants include The Automobile Club of Michigan (AAA) and EF&A, which relocated from San Francisco. The developer is in the planning process for a second, 63,615-square-foot flex building on the previously City-owned Optimist Park; for information, call Transwestern, (248)540-1050.
    The area also includes a host of other major stakeholders, including the three Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan towers; Media One, WBWD-20, UPN-50 and WDRQ-93.1FM; TechTeam Global, Tag Chemical, Harris Semi-Conductor, Sierra Systems, Sumitomo Corp. and the Engineering Society of Detroit.. Across Franklin Road is the 250,000-square-foot, 13-story One Northwestern Plaza/Wyatt Building, whose tenants include Decision Consultants, Inc. (DCI) and Watson Wyatt Worldwide; 70,000 square feet is available through Prentiss Properties, (248)353-2900.
    Also in the SmartZone(TM) area are several hotels, including a 239-room Embassy Suites and 195-room Hilton Gardens Inn, making it easy for area companies and clients to get together. A 373-space parking deck is being added to service both the Wyatt Building and adjacent Embassy Suites. Under construction are a three-story, 128-unit Extended Stay America by The Jonna Companies, on American Drive, scheduled for completion in the 4th quarter of 2002; and an 83-room SpringHill Suites by Etkin Equities, slated for completion in late spring of 2003. Along with the new Comfort Suites and Hawthorn Suites in central Southfield, 20 Southfield hotels and inns now serve the metro area.
    "Southfield is at the core of Oakland Automation Alley SmartZone(TM) and also is Michigan's leading business center," noted City Planning/Business Resources Director Nik Banda. "With 26-million square feet of office space and four million of industrial/R&D, as well as our fiber optic ring, broadband and satellite accessibility, we are the best choice for businesses seeking to expand or relocate to a tech-smart area. Southeast Michigan and Oakland County are the heart of Michigan's economy, and Southfield is both the geographic and population center of the region, so businesses are well-served by choosing us as their base."
    For more information, call the City's Business Development Team, (248)208-8080; e-mail southfieldbdt@cityofsouthfield.com or visit online at www.cityofsouthfield.com/business.

    Note to Editors: Autoliv Electronics America's new telephone number is (248)223-8083.