Today, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Bruce Andrews participated in the grand opening of ABB’s new manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The company’s investment in its first robotics facility in the United States demonstrates their commitment to the North American market and is a strong signal that America has the most attractive investment climate in the world. ABB currently employs hundreds of workers in the area and expects to see their workforce double through the expansion of the plant, which will manufacture robots and related equipment.
In his remarks, Deputy Secretary Andrews highlighted Department of Commerce efforts to help international businesses like ABB enter American markets through our SelectUSA initiative, the first U.S. government-wide effort to facilitate business investment to and within the United States. SelectUSA Executive Director Vinai Thummalapally, U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein Suzi LeVine, ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer and Swiss Ambassador to the U.S. Martin Dahinden also participated in today’s event.
The U.S. embassy and Ambassador LeVine worked with SelectUSA to provide actionable information and counseling to ABB that proved useful in their deliberations about their robotics manufacturing operations. Ambassador LeVine led a delegation of 30 Swiss companies to Commerce’s 2015 SelectUSA Investment Summit, and Oakland County and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation also participated in the summit in March. Last week, Oakland County announced that two international manufacturers they met with at the SelectUSA Summit also plan to establish business locations there.
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery Thank you, Greg Scheu, President of Americas, ABB Robotics, for the kind introduction. It’s great to see so many ABB employees and their families in the crowd today.
I am thrilled to be back in Southeastern Michigan. I spent a lot of time here as a former employee of Ford Motor Company, and I love seeing how this region is getting stronger every day.
I want to begin by thanking the Oakland County government and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. This community is lucky to have such strong advocates on their behalf.
I also want to acknowledge Ambassador Suzi LeVine and Ambassador Martin Dahinden. Your presence here today speaks to the long friendship and deep ties between the United States and Switzerland.
Today’s grand opening is a signal of ABB’s commitment to the U.S. market and is further proof that we have the most attractive investment climate in the world. Furthermore, this announcement is a huge win for the city of Auburn Hills, Oakland County, and the entire state of Michigan.
A leader in the robotics sector, ABB already employs hundreds of workers in the area, and with this expansion, they expect to see that workforce double. Their decision to open their first U.S. manufacturing facility right here in Auburn Hills is a testament to the highly skilled workforce in this region and to the resurgence of America’s automotive sector.
The fact is, this new facility is an incredibly smart move for ABB – because there is no better time to invest in the United States.
According to A.T. Kearney’s 2015 survey of global business leaders, the United States is the number one place to grow a business – and our country has maintained the top spot of the foreign direct investment index for the third year in a row.
The reasons why are clear: success in the U.S. market can help drive success globally; our nation is incredibly diverse, with the world’s most attractive consumer market; and, we enjoy a thriving culture of innovation, a strong rule of law, extensive natural resources, and among the most productive workforces in the world.
As a result, we are already home to more international investment than any other nation, with a total stock of over $2.8 trillion – and that investment supports good-paying jobs in our communities.
When international firms like ABB locate operations in the United States, our workers benefit. As of 2012, international companies employed 5.8 million Americans, and their employees earned higher wages than workers in the economy as a whole.
When businesses expand their presence here, our communities gain a competitive advantage in an increasingly interconnected global economy. These companies rely on local U.S. suppliers for the goods and services needed to thrive, integrating our cities and towns into robust global supply chains.
That’s why we want more businesses to invest in the U.S. And that’s why we want the companies that are already here, like ABB, to expand their investment.
At the Department of Commerce, we are committed to bringing even more international investments to our shores. I want to briefly talk about three key ways we are doing this: through support for the expansion of our manufacturing sector, through our push for new trade agreements, and through SelectUSA.
First, manufacturing has been a top priority for the President and for this Administration since day one. We have been laser-focused on expanding this important part of our economy through initiatives like the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership.
Second, the President’s trade agenda will transform U.S. competitiveness by placing American firms and global affiliates located here at the center of a free trade zone covering two-thirds of global GDP.
Finally, the U.S. Government is here to help international businesses enter our markets every step of the way through our SelectUSA initiative.
SelectUSA was created by President Obama with one fact in mind: the United States is open for business, and we want the world to know it. Led by the Department of Commerce, this is the first-ever, whole-of-government effort to facilitate business investment to and within the United States.
SelectUSA coordinates resources across federal agencies, so investors do not have to navigate our government system alone. SelectUSA serves as an ombudsman to private enterprises, both before and after deals are made: With on-the-ground advice; With connections to the right people in the right locations; With trouble-shooting; and, with any issues that may arise related to federal regulations.
SelectUSA also works closely with state and local governments to smooth the way for new investments, so that we can all reap the mutual benefits of international investment in the United States. We were pleased that the state of Michigan and its local and regional partners were well-represented at the recent SelectUSA Investment Summit that President Obama hosted in March.
More than 2,600 people from over 70 countries and every U.S. state attended this year’s event – which brought together business leaders, investors, state and local representatives, and high-level federal officials to explore investment opportunities and discuss resources available to assist investors.
Vinai Thummalapally, the executive director SelectUSA, is here with us today. If you have any questions about the initiative, I urge you to talk to him.
The team at the U.S. Embassy in Bern, Switzerland has also been a key driver behind today’s announcement.
The United States is fortunate to have Ambassador LeVine representing our interests abroad. An ardent supporter of our efforts to boost FDI to the United States, she led a very strong delegation to the SelectUSA Summit. Her personal commitment has helped numerous Swiss companies as they explore U.S. markets.
We are very proud that our embassy in Bern – in conjunction with the SelectUSA team in Washington – was able to provide actionable information and counseling to ABB that proved useful in their deliberations about their robotics manufacturing operations.
But, of course, the real reason ABB chose to open its first manufacturing facility is all of you. ABB’s employees represent the very best of this community, of this region, and of our country.
Companies around the world have taken notice of your skills and your expertise – and you are a huge part of why they’re choosing to invest in the United States.
Congratulations to all of you – and to everyone who worked tirelessly to make this expansion possible.
Thank you.
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce
