Masco to move headquarters to Livonia

Masco, the Michigan-based maker of brand-named faucets and other building products, plans to move its headquarters from its longtime home in Taylor to Livonia by the end of next year.

The company, which spun off its installation and services business and has cut corporate staff over the years, intends to move into new, three-story 75,000-square-foot digs in about 12 acres at West Seven Mile Road and Haggerty Road, near Schoolcraft College.

Masco hopes that it can begin construction by September and moved by December 2016.

The company’s research and development center will remain in Taylor, at 26855 Trolley Industrial Drive.

"Masco has been a tremendous asset to the City of Taylor and we are disappointed to see them leave," said Taylor  Mayor Rick Sollars. "But, we also recognize the business environment and the pressures involving these types of large corporate decisions. We wish we could have done something to keep the Masco headquarters in Taylor, but that wasn't possible."

The current headquarters is more than 400,000 square feet and was built in 1966, and will likely be put up for sale the company said.

“The move to a new facility will provide a more collaborative, functional space and is an important step forward for us,” Keith Allman, Masco's CEO and president, said today. “Over the past several years, we have better aligned our corporate center services with the requirements of our overall business and our individual business units. As a result, our corporate office is now too large and segmented for our leaner workforce.”

Masco, which Alex Manoogian started in 1929 as the Masco Screw Products Co., has seen its workforce decline from more than  60,000 to about 30,000 worldwide and from about 700 to 250 at the headquarters in Taylor.

In addition to Delta and Hansgrohe faucets, the company also makes bath and shower fixtures, KraftMaid and Merillat cabinets, Milgard windows and doors, Behr paint and HotSpring spas.

Mark Taormina, the planning and economic development director for Livonia said the city is delighted to add another corporate headquarters, and expects to approve the plans and discuss tax incentives.

Masco timeline

1929: Alex Manoogian organizes the Masco Screw Products Co. in Detroit.

1936: Masco becomes a public company and listed on the Detroit Stock Exchange.

1942: Annual sales exceed $1 million.

1961: Company changes name to Masco Corp.

1969: Masco listed on New York Stock Exchange.

1983: Annual sales exceed $1 billion.

1984: Masco forms new public company, Masco Industries.

1985: Masco starts manufacturing cabinets.

2014: Masco announces spinoff of installation and service business.

2016: Plans to move headquarters to Livonia.