Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm called the grand opening of Cobasys in Orion Township ‘symbolic of the future of our state,? while Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said the facility offered ‘exactly the kind of jobs the governor and I hope to bring to Michigan.?
Cobasys welcomed Granholm, Patterson and Orion Township Supervisor Jerry Dywasuk at a grand opening dedication held at the South Lapeer Road facility on May 18.
Cobasys, located between Silverbell and Waldon, is a leader in advanced Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery systems solutions.
The company is working to meet the growing demands for hybrid vehicles for transportation markets, and the growing need for homeland security stationary back-up power support.
Cobasys was founded in 2001 with 34 employees, and has grown to 225 employees in four years. Its latest facility in the township will eventually employ over 200 people.
‘We’ve deliberately been low key the last few years,? said Cobasys CEO Thomas Neslage. ‘Our products weren’t ready. But we’re ready to talk about that now.?
Neslage said most of Cobasys business comes from transportation applications for hybrid vehicles, ‘from light passenger vehicles to heavy duty and military.?
Cobasys also has storage solutions for stationary power, to help stabilize the phone system as well as grid power.
‘We design, manufacture and market these products,? Neslage said. ‘They are smaller, safer and more environmentally friendly (than traditional power sources).?
Neslage said Cobasys is bringing ‘high paying technical positions,? which are highly coveted.
‘We’re putting $50 million into the Michigan economy with wages, salaries and benefits,? he added. ‘It’s a huge opportunity for the state.?
Cobasys? manufacturing facility in Springboro, Ohio will max out with 300 employees in the next six years, Neslage added.
He thanked local, county and state officials for their assistance in bringing Cobasys corporate office to Orion.
‘There is heavy competition for our kind of technology,? he said. ‘We’ve been contacted by six states…and another one yesterday.
We want to stay here, we believe in Michigan,? Neslage said. ‘We like the direction it’s headed.?
Granholm said since Michigan was the state that put ‘the world on wheels,? Michigan should also be the state to run those wheels using hybrid energy.
‘It’s critical for us,? she said, adding that Patterson has done a tremendous job leading Oakland County.
‘Supporting companies that are emerging sectors, that’s what Brooks has been all about,? said Granholm.
Focusing on companies that are part of those emerging sectors (such as life sciences, information technology and robotics) is part of the $2 billion Jobs for Michigan bond initiative that will be before voters on the ballot this November.
The bond proposal calls for investment in Michigan’s economic future through the emerging sectors, creating thousands of high-paying jobs without increasing taxes.
‘As governor, this is a great day,? Granholm said. ‘The bond proposal is focused on companies that are investing…they’re on the cutting edge. We hope Cobasys can tap into that.
‘I think the sky’s the limit for (Cobasys) and for (Michigan), together,? she said.
Granholm told Neslage that she came bearing gifts, one symbolic and one financial.
She presented Patterson with a check for $400,000 to go towards having the county install a stop light near the Cobasys facility between Silverbell and Waldon Roads.
She also presented Cobasys with a Michigan flag, formerly flown over the capitol building in Lansing.
Patterson thanked the governor for her swift action in helping to get the traffic light.
‘We were having trouble getting the traffic light in gear, so I called the governor,? he said. ‘Within an hour I got a return call, saying tell Cobasys the light was approved.
‘That’s the kind of dedication this lady has to Michigan,? Patterson said.
On behalf of Oakland County, Patterson had an oak tree planted on Cobasys property, and presented them with a plaque to commemorate it.
‘I expect both the company and the oak tree to grow strong and flourish,? he said.
Patterson called Cobasys the ‘poster boy? for Michigan’s emerging sectors, and said he had heard that just the day before Kentucky had called with an offer for Cobasys to come there.
‘I thank them for staying here,? he said. ‘They’ve more than doubled their Michigan employment from their founding four years ago.?
Dywasuk said he appreciated Cobasys putting its corporate office in Orion Township, and said the township has proved itself as ‘business friendly.?
He welcomed the governor to the township and told her not to be a stranger.
‘Collaboration is important,? Dywasuk said, adding that in light of recent revenue sharing cuts it was more important than ever the various aspects of government to work together.
Robert Stempel, chairman of Energy Conversion Devices, Inc., also welcomed Cobasys.
ECD is a company that among other things produces solar energy cells used in roofing. It has a facility in Auburn Hills on Lapeer Road.
Gregory Vesey, president of Chevron Technology Ventures, also brought well wishes, and said Chevron was a global company that wanted to be admired for both their people and their partnerships.
‘We’re looking at new energies, cleaner energies, thanks to Cobasys and our partnership with Energy Conversion Devices,? he said.
Neslage closed the ceremony by presenting Governor Granholm and Patterson with metal plaques bearing their likeness, which will be displayed in Cobasys? lobby.