Hitachi moves global headquarters to Michigan in bid to transform manufacturing
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JR Automation, a subsidiary of Hitachi, is investing $72.8 million to build a new global headquarters in Zeeland, Michigan. The facility will consolidate around 350 employees from several West Michigan locations, uniting operations in a 286,000-square-foot building designed for both advanced manufacturing and corporate functions.
Construction is set to begin in September 2025 and finish by early 2027. The project reflects a strategic move to integrate smart manufacturing practices across JR Automation’s global footprint while anchoring its future in a region long tied to industrial growth.
A shift toward smarter, greener operations
The new campus combines 210,000 square feet of assembly space with 76,000 square feet of office and collaboration areas. It will support JR Automation’s work across sectors including automotive, energy storage and life sciences.
Beyond scale, the facility is designed to demonstrate sustainability and digital readiness. On-site solar, native landscaping and a goal of renewable-powered baseline operations align with Hitachi’s carbon neutrality targets. The site will also serve as a showcase for clients, featuring automation technologies powered by Hitachi’s Lumada platform, including AI, robotics and real-time data analytics.
Michigan’s competitive edge
Hitachi selected Zeeland over a competing site in South Carolina. The choice reflects confidence in Michigan’s talent pool and its strategy to become a smart manufacturing hub. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, alongside Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office, helped secure the project through incentive planning and trade engagement.
For Michigan, the headquarters signals a win in the broader race to attract high-value industrial investment. It builds on recent efforts to align the state’s legacy manufacturing base with automation, electrification and clean energy.
A global role with local impact
JR Automation operates more than 20 facilities across North America, Europe and Asia. But this new site marks a consolidation of global strategy, research and customer engagement in one flagship location. The company, acquired by Hitachi in 2019, aims to use Zeeland as a base for international collaboration and workforce development.
The facility is expected to help attract technical talent, offering modern workspaces, a fitness center and access to outdoor amenities. Training areas will support both internal teams and client education, positioning the site as more than a production hub.
Looking ahead
The Zeeland headquarters gives JR Automation a platform to scale new technologies while reinforcing Michigan’s industrial future. It combines innovation, sustainability and strategic intent, offering a glimpse of where manufacturing in the US is headed.
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