Southern Auto Corridor > Issues > Spring 2010

Spring 2010

ALABAMA

Alabama Governor Launches Green Manufacturing Program for Parts Suppliers

In late May, Alabama Gov. Bob Riley announced the launch of a pilot program intended to help the state's automotive industry's parts suppliers reduce pollution and adopt green manufacturing technologies. Called Alabama E3, the program will help coordinate technical assistance programs offered by federal, state and local agencies. Alabama E3 will initially focus on 15 automotive parts suppliers in and around Tuscaloosa, Montgomery and Huntsville.

Auburn Recruits VW Supplier, Another Expands

In June, CNJ Tech announced plans to expand its operations in the Auburn Industrial Park. The company, which produces brake discs and knuckles, is investing $5.5 million and adding 25 jobs. The expansion is due to increased business from Kia and Hyundai’s plants in Georgia and Alabama. Auburn also recruited a new Volkswagen supplier in June. Tube Technology Systems AG, a Germany-based supplier, will invest $1.4 million in a facility in Auburn. The company will produce brake tubes for VW.

Faurecia to Open Second Plant in Tuscaloosa

French auto parts supplier Faurecia announced in May it has purchased the former Visteon plant in Tuscaloosa, Ala. where it will manufacture automotive interior components for several OEMs. The deal is the second plant that Faurecia has announced in Tuscaloosa County in the past six months. The new facility, which will make parts for Nissan, will house 148 workers and represents an investment of $13.5 million. In November, the company announced plans to hire 198 at another Tuscaloosa County factory that produces seating for Mercedes-Benz.

Canadian Automotive Supplier Investing $16M in Alabama

Windsor, Canada-based Plasman Corp. announced in the spring it is bringing an automotive facility to Fort Payne, Ala. The company will provide plastic injection molding, painting and assembly of exterior parts and tool repair. The $16 million deal will create 200 jobs initially with over 300 expected in three years. Plasman has contracts with Nissan, Honda, Toyota and GM.

Parts Supplier Adding Jobs in Auburn, Ala.

Korean auto supplier Pyongsan America is expanding its Auburn, Ala. operations. The company plans to lease a second manufacturing facility in Auburn and invest $5 million and add 100 new jobs. The company manufactures air conditioning and heater core pipe assemblies.

Korean Auto Parts Supplier Locates in Rural Alabama

Daeil USA, a subsidiary of Korean parts supplier Daeil Precision Co., announced in the spring quarter it is locating a plant at the former Halla Mando Valley building in Chambers County, Ala. The company will provide struts and other parts to the automotive industry in the Southern Automotive Corridor. The deal will create 75 new jobs.

Korean Supplier Breaks Ground on New Alabama Plant

SaeHaeSung, a Hyundai and Kia parts supplier in Andalusia, Ala., broke ground in the spring on the company's new 72,000-square-foot facility. SaeHaeSung is adding a stamping process to its Andalusia welding operations that represents an investment of $10 million and 150 new jobs.

ARKANSAS

Cooper Tire Hiring 200 More in Texarkana

In late 2008, the Cooper Tire and Rubber Plant in Texarkana, Ark. was on the brink of closing. Now Ohio-based Cooper Tire has announced that it is hiring 200 more workers at the plant, bringing employment at the facility to 1,500. The plant produces 450 different types of tires after it picked up about 75 tire models when Cooper closed its Albany, Ga. plant more than a year ago. The Texarkana factory has a payroll of more than $75 million a year.

FLORIDA

Battery Recycling Plant Creates 125 Jobs in Tampa

Envirofocus Technologies announced in the spring it is expanding its battery recycling plant in East Tampa to boost its daily output of recycled lead acid batteries from 10,000 to 50,000 a day. The project will cost $100 million and add 125 workers.

KENTUCKY

Topura America Expands in Kentucky

Topura America Fastener, a manufacturer of automotive and industrial fasteners, announced in June it will add 30 new jobs and invest $9.34 million at its plant in Bowling Green, Ky. The deal will more than double the size of the company's existing plant.

Tier 1 Supplier Expands in Kentucky

Angell-Demmel North America, a Tier 1 manufacturer of decorative trim products for the automotive industry, announced in the spring it will invest $5.8 million and add 52 jobs in Lebanon, Ky. The company was recently awarded a seven-year contract with Mercedes-Benz to produce aluminum trim for door and instrument panels for the M-Class, which is assembled in Alabama. Angell-Demmel has operated in Lebanon, Ky., since 1965.

MISSISSIPPI

Parts Supplier Expands in Mississippi

Grenada Stamping and Assembly, a supplier of parts to the appliance, automotive, HVAC/R and off-highway markets, announced in the spring it is expanding its operations in Grenada, Miss. The expansion will create 40 new jobs.

NORTH CAROLINA

Michelin Expanding in Small Town North Carolina

Michelin North America announced in the spring it is expanding its plant in Stanly County, N.C. The company plans to create 74 jobs and invest more than $11 million on the project. South Carolina-based Michelin employs more than 600 workers in North Carolina at facilities in Norwood, Asheboro and Salisbury.

Parts Supplier Creating 55 Jobs in Rural North Carolina

WhiteRidge Plastics, a supplier of custom-molded parts for the automotive, industrial, agriculture and tool markets, announced in the spring it will expand its operations in Rockingham County, N.C. The company plans to create 55 jobs and invest more than $1.2 million in Reidsville.

Catalytic Converter Recycler Bringing Jobs to North Carolina

VSA LLC, a recycler of automotive catalytic converters, will locate its production plant in Burke County, N.C. The company plans to create 98 jobs and invest $4.5 million during the next two years in Morganton.

N.C. Gov. Perdue Establishes Motorsports Advisory Council

The grand opening of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte was attended by more than 1,000 people in May. Gov. Bev Perdue signed an executive order in the spring quarter establishing the North Carolina Motorsports Advisory Council. The council will advise the Governor on ways to strengthen the industry and recruit new motorsports jobs to North Carolina. The motorsports industry supports more than 27,000 jobs in North Carolina and contributes more than $6 billion to the state's economy each year. Ninety percent of NASCAR teams are based in North Carolina and Charlotte is home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

SOUTH CAROLINA

German Supplier Opening Automotive Production Facility in S.C.

In May, Eberspaecher North America, which operates plants in Alabama, Michigan and Ontario, announced it will open a production facility in Greenville Co., S.C. The company is a manufacturer of exhaust systems. The new plant will serve BMW and its large assembly operation in Greer, S.C. The $5 million deal is expected to create 30 new jobs.

Kaydon Expands in Sumter, S.C.

Michigan-based Kaydon Corporation announced in May it will invest $8.9 million and add 75 new jobs at its custom bearing facility in Sumter Co., S.C. The company has purchased a building formerly occupied by Bosch near the campus of its bearings facility, where it produces bearings for a wide range of general industrial markets. Kaydon also operates a wind turbine bearing facility in Sumter. The new facility is expected to open in the fall of 2010.

TENNESSEE

Bridgestone Celebrates 20 Years in Rural Tennessee

In the spring quarter, Bridgestone Americas celebrated the 20th anniversary of operations at its Warren Co., Tenn. facility. The plant was the first tire factory in the world to be awarded the LEED certification for its outstanding environmental building design.

Volkswagen Supplier Expanding in Tennessee

Miniature Precision Components (MPC), a supplier of thermoplastic injection molded, extrusion and blow molded products for the automotive, lawn and garden and commercial industries, announced in the spring it is expanding in Warren Co., Tenn. The company will invest $7.5 million and add 118 new jobs. MPC recently earned a contract to do work for Volkswagen's Chattanooga operations.

Volkswagen Names Five Companies for Supplier Park

In the spring VW named five of the seven parts suppliers that will build facilities at its adjoining supplier park in Chattanooga. Chattanooga Seating, Faurecia, Magna, MTEK and ThyssenKrupp were all named as occupants of the park. For more information on the South’s automotive industry, go to www.SouthernAutoCorridor.com.

Magna Building Two Plants in Chattanooga

Ontario-based Magna International announced in late April it intends to build two plants in Chattanooga to supply the VW plant there. The company previously announced it would supply VW's seating. The company also plans to operate a plant that will provide fascias, sealing systems and pillar trim covers through its Exteriors and Interiors unit. Initially, Magna plans to create 140 jobs through the two operations.

VW Vehicle Processor to Create 80 Jobs

New Jersey-based Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics announced in the spring it will provide vehicle processing and yard management for Volkswagen's new Chattanooga assembly plant. The deal will create 80 new jobs. For more information on the South’s automotive industry, go to www.SouthernAutoCorridor.com.

Modine to Double Jobs in Tennessee

Wisconsin-based Modine Manufacturing, which produces air coolers, engine fuel coolers and front-end cooling modules for the commercial vehicle market, announced in the spring quarter it will add approximately 200 new jobs at its manufacturing operations in Lawrenceburg, Tenn. The company will add a brazing furnace to its plant to manufacture aluminum radiators.

Seat Supplier for New VW Plant to Create 120 Jobs

Chattanooga Seating Systems, a joint venture between Hollingsworth Logistics, a Michigan supply chain firm and Magna Seating, a subsidiary of one of the world’s largest parts suppliers, announced in the spring it has leased space in Chattanooga's Shallowford Business Park. The company will supply seats for VW's new sedan that is expected to roll off the new factory's line next year.

TEXAS

Caterpillar Supplier Hiring 400 in Seguin, Tex.

TPS, a supplier of component manufacturing and assembly services for Caterpillar, will hire 400 workers at a new plant in Seguin, Tex. to assemble diesel engines for the construction equipment giant. TPS is a subsidiary of Michigan-based Royal Oak Industries. TPS will operate out of an 800,000-square-foot facility currently being built on Seguin's west side.

VIRGINIA

Automotive Casting Operation Re-Opens in Radford, Va.

Virginia Casting Industries, a ductile iron components manufacturer for the automotive industry, is reopening the former Intermet New River Foundry facility in Radford, Va. The $9.1 million project will create 300 new jobs. Virginia successfully competed with Michigan to land the project.