Advanced Manufacturing in Greater Grand Rapids

Over 2,000 innovative and highly diverse manufacturers anchor the greater Grand Rapids area, with local companies producing everything from chrome-plated wheel covers to intricate surgical devices, advanced cell phone software, and Aeron chairs. As a one of the best regions in the world for turning ideas into commercial success, per capita expenditures in education, R&D and registered patents per capita are among the highest in the world, as are concentrations of automotive and mechanical engineers.

Although no single industry dominates our economy, you will find some of the country's highest concentrations of companies and skilled workers for office furniture, automotive components, industrial machinery, tool and die, plastics, chemicals, and commercial printing.

Firms in these core industries routinely set new standards in production technology, operational excellence and innovation - Ten times, companies here received the Automotive News Pace Award. Specific core competencies include expertise in

• electrochromics
• precision metal forming
• color recognition technology
• engineered plastics
• medical devices and instrumentation
• engine cooling systems.

Such performance is no accident; it comes when companies share what they learn. Here you'll find one of the most active networks of collaborative companies in the country. Best practices are shared through highly active industry councils, user groups, and industry consortia hosted by The Right Place. Greater Grand Rapids companies are further supported by a statewide network of R&D resources that includes expertise in automotive technology, alternative energy, operational excellence, and financial support for the development and commercialization of new products, technologies and materials.