Innovation is at the heart of engineering and manufacturing - and sometimes these advancements can come from unexpected places.
To foster pursuit of these advancements, automotive seating and electrical systems manufacturer Lear has taken over a historic building in downtown Detroit to launch their new Innovation Center. The center is planned as a hub for creativity, automotive advanced concept development and hands-on learning for Detroit college students studying engineering and design.
As part of an effort to revitalize the Capitol Park area, the new space will allow for development of new automotive products and technologies, encourage non-automotive business opportunities and foster collaboration with Wayne State University (WSU) School of Engineering the College for Creative Studies (CCS).
Lear purchased the six-story building last September, and has spent time renovating its interior and exterior to foster innovation, from industrial design to graffiti art featured throughout. The building will house a showroom, gallery, office space and collaborative workspaces.
"Lear's investment in this new center is another example of how Detroit is building on its history of innovation in automotive design,” said Detroit mayor, Mike Duggan. “Thanks to their partners at Wayne State University and the College for Creative Studies, Lear will be able to provide young Detroiters with practical hands-on experience to prepare them for careers in this cutting-edge field."
"We are very excited to be opening a new Innovation and Design Center in downtown Detroit," said Matt Simoncini, president and CEO of Lear Corporation. "We plan to leverage the rapidly developing infrastructure in the Central Business District as well as the concentration of arts, science, and technology assets in the Capitol Park area to fully participate in the transformation that is underway in the automotive business and to take our Company to the next level."
Efforts like Lear’s Innovation Center will be needed to not only revitalize Detroit’s engineering sector, but to keep its young engineering and technical talent in the city and working on projects.
For more information, visit the Lear website.