There’s a reason the North American automotive business, design, engineering and production is centered in the GAMA region – the workforce. Auto companies in this area draw upon the world’s largest concentration of automotive talent. For example, the Detroit Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) chapter has 14,000 members – or 16 percent of that organization’s worldwide membership. One out of every four automotive workers in the U.S. works in Michigan. In addition, the state is home to over 186,000 skilled trades workers, and one out of every five U.S. tool and die makers works in Michigan. [show ppt charts with the number of skilled trades and mechanical/industrial engineers]

The GAMA region is home to nearly 20 percent of Michigan’s total population and 2,185 manufacturing establishments that employ over 145,000 workers (15% of the region’s total workforce). The largest manufacturing employer is General Motors, which has 4 assembly plants, 2 stamping plants, and an engine and a powertrain plant located in the GAMA region.