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JR Automation is breaking ground on a new multi-million-dollar global headquarters in Zeeland

JR Automation Global Headquarters rendering, Zeeland, Michigan
JR Automation
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JR Automation
JR Automation Global Headquarters rendering, Zeeland, Michigan

45-acre campus meets needs for growing global industrial automation and smart manufacturing technology company.

In mid-September, JR Automation will break ground on a $72.8 million global headquarters. A family-owned business founded in 1980, it was acquired by Tokyo-based Hitachi in 2019.

The state-of-the-art, 286,000-square-foot facility is dedicated to customer automation demonstration, assembly and office space situated on a 45-acre campus. The headquarters will consolidate JR Automation’s West Michigan’s locations, bringing together 350 employees under one roof.

Dave DeGraaf is CEO of JR Automation and General Manager of Hitachi’s Automation Division. He said, “The facility is designed to empower our teams, inspire our partners, and deliver transformative solutions to our customers worldwide."

JR HQ Flythrough Final.mp4

The campus will accentuate a restored native prairie landscape with walking and biking paths and an on-site fitness center. Amenities are designed to attract and retain talent. Dedicated to sustainability practices, the company’s goal is carbon neutrality and zero landfill waste by 2030 and on-site renewable energy generation.

The new headquarters is scheduled for completion late fall 2026.

Patrick joined WGVU Public Media in December, 2008 after eight years of investigative reporting at Grand Rapids' WOOD-TV8 and three years at WYTV News Channel 33 in Youngstown, Ohio. As News and Public Affairs Director, Patrick manages our daily radio news operation and public interest television programming. An award-winning reporter, Patrick has won multiple Michigan Associated Press Best Reporter/Anchor awards and is a three-time Academy of Television Arts & Sciences EMMY Award winner with 14 nominations.