Torc Invests $5.6M to Create Engineering Hub in Michigan
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LANSING, Mich. — ϳԹ plans to invest nearly $5.6 million to create an engineering hub in Ann Arbor Township.
The Michigan Strategic Fund awarded Torc a $3 million grant during its June 24 board meeting to support the project that is expected to create hundreds of high-paying tech jobs.
“We’re eager to establish and to grow our facility in Ann Arbor and bring technology jobs to Michigan,” said Steve Kenner, Torc chief safety officer
Torc, a subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG founded in 2005, is focused on developing self-driving software for longhaul freight trucks in the United States.
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Kenner says the new facility just east of Ann Arbor city limits, located at 2211 Old Earhart Road, will serve as a “major engineering and innovation center” for the company.
“This facility and the engineering work that it does are critical for the company as it continues to grow and commercialize its autonomous trucking solution,” Kenner told the Michigan Strategic Fund board.
The hub will primarily be used for engineering, design and development of Torc’s software. Product testing will take place at other company facilities in Texas.
Torc expects the new facility to create 500 jobs in Ann Arbor Township.
Dan Neebes, a business development manager from the Michigan Economic Development Corp., says the predicted wages will be “exceptional” with average salaries of $177,000 a year for engineers who are developing autonomous technology.
“This project represents exactly the kind of project that we are eager to bring home,” he said.
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Torc already employs 86 people in Michigan.
The new hub will also onshore jobs that were previously located in Germany as Torc closes its European facility.
“Earlier in my career, I spent over 30 years working at General Motors, Chrysler and Ford,” Keener said. “So I know firsthand that Michigan is the home to automotive innovation.”
Torc opened its first autonomous trucking hub in Texas last month.
