The story

Founded in Detroit in 1917 as a supplier to the automotive and aircraft industries, today Lear employs more than 150,000 people at 243 locations in 37 countries. With sales of $18 billion, Lear ranks #154 on the Fortune 500 list, and is at the forefront of making vehicles more connected, electronic and software systems more secure, and seats more ergonomic.

With a goal to develop new automotive products and technologies, as well as to incubate non-automotive business opportunities, the company recently opened a world-class Innovation Center in the heart of downtown Detroit. There, Lear employees work in tandem with the College of Creative Studies on the next generation of automotive seating and vehicle interiors. Lear employees also work alongside students from Wayne State University’s School of Engineering to develop applications for connected cars and alternative energy vehicles.