Auto parts supplier Faurecia begins work at recently acquired plant in Saline

By Ben Freed Business Reporter

Posted on Fri, Jun 1, 2012 : 4:50 p.m.

Automotive parts supplier >Faurecia began operations today at its Saline plant acquired from Automotive Components Holding (AHC).

The plant manufactures cockpits and other electronic elements for 12 Ford models including the F-150, Mustang, Expedition and Focus.

Faurecia announced its plan to buy the plant May 3, and will celebrate the official dedication of the building on July 17.

Courtesy of Faurecia

The large multi-national company also announced that it will be opening a Faurecia Interior Systems customer center in Southfield that will employ more than 200 people including more than 50 professional jobs later in 2012. Many former AHC employees could be transferred to the Southfield location.

"The Southfield Customer Center will allow us to bring the former ACH personnel associated with Saline's operations together with those from Faurecia to work as a closely knit team in support of this transformation and future growth," Faurecia Interior Systems North America President Jean-Michel Renaudie said in a release posted on PRnewswire.com. "We are pleased to be able to retain the skills and knowledge of the ACH personnel who are joining Faurecia, to bring more jobs to the region and to re-assert Faurecia's commitment to southeast Michigan.”

In the release, Faurecia also announced its plans to reconfigure and upgrade the Saline plant over the next few years.