City lands first business for tech campus

When Tecumseh Products finally closed up shop in 2009 after decades of manufacturing compressors for the refrigeration industry, the city’s “Refrigeration Capital of the World” moniker left with it.

Or did it?

Last Friday, Macomb County developer Vito Serra and Giovanni Dorin of Dorin USA inked a seven-year lease agreement to bring the Italy-based builder of compressors to Tecumseh.

“We couldn’t be happier to welcome Dorin USA to Tecumseh as the inaugural business in the Business and Technology Park,” said City Manager Dan Swallow. “It is serendipitous that Dorin found Casa Villa construction, another company with Italian heritage, and that they will be producing refrigeration compressors again here in Tecumseh.  It was just meant to be.”

Dorin USA is the North American headquarters of Dorin Innovation. The company, established in 1918, is based in Florence, the capital city of the Tuscany region. Giovanni Dorin represents the fourth generation in the family-owned business, which manufactures compressors for refrigeration and air conditioning. Dorin USA currently is renting space in the former Blissfield Manufacturing plant.

Serra, a native of Sicily, owns Casa Villa Construction in Clinton Township and is the developer behind Bonner Hills. In December 2020, he purchased a lot in the Business and Technology Park for $1 from the city to construct a 21,000-square-foot industrial facility with an adjacent 3,000-square-foot office building. This “spec” building, according to Economic Development Director Jessica Sattler, was designed to attract a tenant to the park. As Serra constructed the building, Sattler connected with Brian Porter, general director for Dorin USA, about the facility.

“Jessica did an amazing job of putting everyone together,” Porter said. “We will start with warehousing compressors from Italy and then manufacturing and assembling refrigeration compressors.”

Porter said he anticipated Dorin would be moving to Tecumseh by July. Right now, the finishing touches are being put on the facility.

“We worked with Jessica for about eight months,” Porter said.

Sattler was the go-between, making sure the spec building would meet Dorin’s needs. She said she worked with Serra on the construction and then found a company that would be a good fit. Serra and Dorin turned out to be that fit, according to Porter.

“Jess helped so much in this process,” Porter said.

Serra said he discovered Tecumseh more than a decade ago when he came to the city to play golf. He was struck by the small-town charm of the city and recalled stopping by Baker Brothers service station, where he struck up a conversation with Tecumseh mayor Jack Baker. Baker took him out to the Bonner Hills property and “the rest is history,” Serra said.

“It is beautiful here,” Serra said. “The city has been very helpful to me. I love the city so much.”

Giovanni Dorin, who lives in Florence, agrees.

“The town has been supportive,” he said. “We are happy to be investing in the community.”

For Sattler, the agreement represents a huge milestone.

“One of the goals I was given when I was hired four years ago was to get a business into the tech park,” Sattler said. “So this is a huge personal and professional milestone.

“But this wouldn’t have happened without our city council. They are willing to take informed risks, especially since the land has been sitting vacant.  Those risks paid off and I am grateful for their support.”

Mayor Baker said he is happy with the outcome of the agreement between the two companies.

“I am really proud to welcome Dorin USA to Tecumseh,” Baker said. “We are eager and willing to help with their expansion into our community. Together, I know we will grow and prosper.”