The idled Delphi plant on Mt. Hope Highway is once again bustling and open for business with the arrival of Alliance Interiors, a start-up company supplying interior soft trim and acoustic systems to General Motors. Alliance Interiors is a joint venture between Detroit Technologies Inc., headquartered in Bingham Farms, just outside Detroit, and HP Pelzer Automotive Systems Inc., headquartered in Troy.

Detroit Technologies was formed in 1996 as a technology-driven organization offering a wide range of products and services to the automotive industry. They offer design and engineering services, program management, co-location program support, post part design and analysis, graphic concept illustrations and presentation, cutting-edge computer software applications, and reverse engineering (taking apart an object to see how it works in order to duplicate or enhance the object). More information about the company can be found at www.dtigroup.biz

HP Pelzer Automotive Systems manufactures automotive NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) acoustic components and applications and soft trim components and has production facilities in Michigan, Georgia, Kansas and Mexico. Their website, www.hppelzer.com, gives more information about their products and services.

According to John Lycos, vice president and CFO of Detroit Technologies, “We found in the former Delphi site a facility that was in good shape and suited our needs. We are investing $5 million in the facility and will eventually employ about 80 people, working two shifts. We have finished the pre-production approval process and are looking forward to the start of production later this fall. The facility is ready to go, and we are continuing to hire new employees as we gear up for full production.”

Mark Connor is serving as general manager for Alliance Interiors. According to Connor, “The team here in Lansing has done a great job getting ready for this new venture. Everyone is working hard and planning for a successful operation.”

In July it was announced by Gov. Jennifer Granholm and James Epolito of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation that, through the use of the Private Activity Bond Program, allocations of $2,550,000 in bond proceeds were awarded to Alliance Interiors to acquire and install machinery and equipment for the facility on Mt. Hope Highway. These tax-exempt bonds are issued by the Michigan Strategic Fund, chaired by Epolito.

Alliance Interiors offers:

• Interior trim, including molded carpet, foam-in-place technology, package trays, cab back panels and accessory mats
• Insulation components including inner dashes, floors, rear seats and deadeners
• Acoustic testing in a state-of-the art acoustic facility, facility rentals and expert consultation on acoustic integration
• A material lab accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation in Mechanical Testing which is compliant with industry standards for all major automotive manufacturers and has equipment, chambers and setups to handle a variety of tests and materials

According to Lycos, “Our focus is on our current contract with General Motors, but there is always room to grow. We have a good team in place, and we’re looking forward to the future.”

It used to be said that “what’s good for General Motors is good for the country.” In this case, we need modify that statement only slightly and say, “What’s good for Alliance Interiors is good for General Motors, and what’s good for General Motors is very good for Lansing.”