Team Michigan to Showcase Aerospace, Defense and Advanced Manufacturing Strengths at Eurosatory
LANSING, Mich. (June 15, 2026) — Governor Gretchen Whitmer is leading a week-long investment mission to Europe to strengthen Michigan’s relationships with global partners, attract job-creating investment and expand opportunities for Michigan businesses in key industries.
Governor Whitmer and the Team Michigan delegation will attend Eurosatory, the world’s leading defense and security conference, where Michigan will highlight its growing strengths in aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing and innovation.
Whitmer will be the only U.S. governor in attendance at Eurosatory, positioning Michigan as a premier destination for global investment and business expansion.
Mission Highlights
- Governor Whitmer is leading a week-long investment mission to Europe
- Team Michigan will attend Eurosatory, the world’s leading defense and security conference
- The mission will strengthen relationships with partners in France, Belgium and Luxembourg
- Michigan will promote its leadership in aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing and innovation
- 12 Michigan-based companies will exhibit at the Michigan Pavilion
- MEDC has supported 92 defense and aerospace company participations in trade shows and missions since 2019
- MEDC’s International Trade program has helped companies achieve more than $4.1 billion in new export salessince 2019
Michigan Promotes Global Investment and Defense Industry Growth
The investment mission builds on Michigan’s ongoing engagement with European partners and supports the state’s strategy to attract new investment, strengthen trade relationships and create good-paying jobs for Michiganders.
“Michigan is open for business and on the move, working with anyone and competing with anyone to onshore good-paying jobs for Michiganders,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “On this investment mission, we’ll strengthen ties with European allies, showcase Michigan’s leadership in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, defense, and innovation, and bring home new opportunities that create good-paying jobs for Michiganders. Let’s keep working together to attract investment, grow our economy, and ensure Michigan remains a top destination for companies looking to expand and succeed.”
Members of the Team Michigan delegation include Michigan Economic Development Corporation CEO Quentin L. Messer, Jr. and Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation Executive Director Col. John T. Gutierrez, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.).
Additional members of the delegation include:
- Marc Corriveau, Senior Vice President and Chief Government Relations Officer, Henry Ford Health System
- Laura Appel, Executive Vice President, Michigan Health and Hospital Association
- Phil Yeiter, Senior Director of Government Relations, Priority Health/Corewell Health
Team Michigan Strengthens European Business Partnerships
The delegation will engage with partners in France, Belgium and Luxembourg to strengthen relationships that support investment attraction, trade and long-term economic growth.
“Michigan’s ongoing relationships across Europe continue to create opportunities for our businesses, workers, and communities,” said Quentin L. Messer, Jr., CEO of MEDC. “As Team Michigan engages with partners in France, Belgium, and Luxembourg, we are strengthening connections that attract investment, open doors for Michigan companies in key industries, and support trade. As an international-facing state, these engagements help position Michigan businesses of all sizes for growth, thus creating more opportunities for Michiganders while reinforcing our state’s reputation as a trusted global partner.”
Europe remains a critical partner in Michigan’s economic growth and a leading source of foreign direct investment supporting jobs, innovation and industrial competitiveness across the state.
Since 2019, France-based companies have announced 56 investment projects in Michigan, totaling more than $4.6 billion in capital investment and creating nearly 5,900 jobs. Global employers with Michigan operations include Stellantis, Air Liquide, Forvia, Segula Technologies and OPmobility.
During the same period, Belgium-based companies have announced seven investment projects in Michigan, totaling more than $311 million in capital investment and creating 464 jobs. Companies including Materialise, Plant Products and Paneltim have strengthened Michigan’s semiconductor, advanced manufacturing, life sciences and agricultural technology sectors.
Luxembourg-based companies with a presence and investments in Michigan include ArcelorMittal Tailored Blanks, International Automotive Components Group and Flint Group.
Michigan Companies Showcase at Eurosatory
Twelve Michigan-based companies will exhibit at the Michigan Pavilion at Eurosatory through MEDC’s International Trade program in partnership with Automation Alley.
Participating Michigan companies include:
- 4 Flutes Machining — Vicksburg
- Barron Industries — Oxford
- Composite Builders — Holland
- Dataspeed Inc. — Rochester Hills
- Drive System Design, Inc. — Farmington Hills
- EMTECH — Sterling Heights
- Enstrom Helicopter — Menominee
- GS Engineering, Inc. — Houghton
- Marposs — Auburn Hills
- Michigan Scientific Corporation — Charlevoix
- WarBird Protection Group — Kalkaska
- Weldaloy Specialty Forgings, Inc. — Warren
Since 2019, MEDC has helped support 92 total defense and aerospace company participations in industry-specific trade shows and missions.
“Eurosatory provides an important platform to showcase Michigan’s growing leadership in aerospace and defense while strengthening partnerships with allies who share our commitment to national security, innovation, and economic growth,” said Col. John T. Gutierrez, Executive Director of ODAI. “Michigan’s defense industrial base, skilled workforce, and advanced manufacturing capabilities make our state a valuable partner in supporting national and international defense priorities. We are proud to help connect Michigan companies with new opportunities that strengthen both our economy and our collective security.”
International Trade Program Supports Michigan Export Growth
MEDC’s International Trade program supports export development for small- and medium-sized businesses through grants for international sales trips, trade missions and trade shows.
Since 2019, the program has helped Michigan companies achieve more than $4.1 billion in new export sales. During that time, 801 Michigan small business exporters reported facilitated sales to 170 countries, while 355 companies entered new markets they had not previously exported to.
Michigan’s State Trade Expansion Program, also known as MI-STEP, has generated strong returns for participating companies. Every $1 spent through MI-STEP has resulted in $380 in new sales for Michigan businesses.
“International trade missions like Eurosatory create valuable opportunities for Michigan manufacturers to showcase their capabilities on a global stage, build strategic relationships and access new markets that may otherwise be out of reach,” said Tom Kelly, Executive Director and CEO of Automation Alley. “For small and medium-sized businesses in particular, this type of support helps accelerate growth, strengthen competitiveness and open doors to new customers and partnerships. The connections made abroad ultimately drive investment, innovation and job creation here at home, reinforcing Michigan’s position as a leader in advanced manufacturing and defense technologies.”
Mission Supports Long-Term Economic Development Strategy
Through international engagement and relationship-building with key partners across Europe, Team Michigan continues to support existing investors while positioning the state to attract future job-creating investments.
The investment mission is supported by MEDC and the Michigan Economic Development Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing economic development initiatives that drive private investment, job creation and wage growth in Michigan.
Media Contact
Office of the Governor
press@michigan.gov
