Local battery maker plans new headquarters complex

NOVI (AP) — Battery maker A123 Systems LLC plans to consolidate some of its operations at a new $40 million headquarters complex in suburban Detroit.

The 32-acre company-owned site near the Fountain Walk complex in Novi will house corporate offices, an engineering center, new laboratory space and a manufacturing plant. The campus will replace leased space in Livonia and Romulus.

A123 says more than 400 employees will be based at the campus, down from about 600 full-time workers before the changes. A123 says many of the affected 200 manufacturing jobs from the Livonia and Romulus sites will be contract workers.

The company says it may hire more engineers later, however.

A123 is a subsidiary of Chinese auto-parts maker Wanxiang Group. Workers will start moving into the new complex by the end of 2018.