Summer 2011
For real-time news on economic development, business and politics in the American South, go to www.RandleReport.com. For more information on economic development in the South, go to www.SB-D.com and www.SmallTownSouth.com.
ALABAMA
Korean supplier adding hundreds of jobs in Auburn
Seung Chang Airtech announced in September it is expanding its plant in Auburn, Ala. The deal is expected to bring at least 200 new jobs to the facility. The supplier makes injection-molded plastic parts and vibration and noise-dampening materials for Kia and Hyundai, among other automakers. The expansion should bring employment at the plant to around 400.
Hyundai-Kia supplier to bring 150 jobs to rural Alabama
C and J Alabama, a supplier to Korean automakers Kia and Hyundai, is bringing 150 jobs to Alexander City, Ala. The company will locate in a former Russell Athletic Corp. plant.
Rail wheel plant near Birmingham to reopen
Chicago-based Amsted Rail is reopening a shuttered railroad wheel plant near Bessemer, Ala. The company will spend $45 million to improve the facility and install new equipment. The deal will result in 130 new jobs.
GEORGIA
Korea's Mando to open new parts plant in Georgia
South Korea-based and Kia parts supplier Mando Corp. announced in September it is investing $200 million to open a manufacturing operation in Meriwether County, Ga. The plant will supply electric steering gears and anti-lock brakes to OEMs such as Hyundai, Kia, GM and Chrysler. The deal will create 426 jobs.
Big automotive industry deal goes down in Georgia
Toyo Tire North America's Bartow Co., Ga. facility is its first U.S. consumer tire production operation. The 900,000-square-foot plant has been in operation since 2006, and includes a manufacturing facility and warehouse. The company expanded by another 820,000 square feet in 2008, growing its workforce to 700 people and then added 200 workers in 2010. In July, state, Bartow County and Toyo officials signed an agreement to increase Bartow County's bonding capacity an additional $910 million. The agreement enables Toyo to expand its current facility, adding 470 new jobs over the next few years.
New auto industry tech park to be built in rural Georgia
The Americus Motorsports Complex will be built on a 450acre site in Americus, Ga. The auto industry complex will include a racing industry technology park, a drag strip and a 2.5-mile road course.
Suppliers hiring in Harris Co., Ga.
Two of Kia's top suppliers for its plant in West Point, Ga. are expanding in Harris County. Johnson Controls is adding 175 workers to its current workforce of 380 and Daehan Solution is adding 150 to its current workforce of 300.
KENTUCKY
Gov. Beshear cuts ribbon on ZF Steering Systems' $95.8M expansion in Northern Ky.
In September, Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear joined community leaders and company officials from ZF Steering Systems to celebrate the completion of its $95.8 million expansion in Northern Kentucky. The project entailed the construction of two new buildings totaling 175,000 square feet on its existing site in Florence, Ky. The deal creates 374 new jobs. ZF Steering is a subsidiary of Germany-based Lenksysteme GmbH and has been located in Kentucky since 1994.
Hitachi to add 100 jobs in Berea, Ky.
Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas in Berea, Ky., which recently secured a contract to manufacture components for the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid vehicle, will soon begin hiring for about 100 new manufacturing jobs. Depending on the success of the contract, that number could eventually increase to 500, Berea Mayor Steve Connelly said.
FP International to create 60 new machine manufacturing jobs in Hopkinsville, Ky.
FP International has announced plans to add machine build operations to its Christian County, Ky. facility. The project will result in 60 new machine manufacturing jobs over the next several years and a $3 million investment in the Commonwealth.
Mayors of Louisville and Lexington, Ky. creating "super region"
Economic development officials and politicos in Kentucky's two largest markets -- Louisville and Lexington -- are coordinating a regional economic development bond. Mayors' Jim Gray of Lexington and Greg Fischer of Louisville are working to develop a "super region" that will market itself initially as a cluster for the automotive industry. Ford operates large facilities in Louisville and one of Toyota's largest U.S. plants is located in Georgetown, Ky., which is near Lexington.
Cooper Standard expands in Kentucky
Cooper Standard is expanding its operations in Mt. Sterling, Ky. The automotive parts supplier is investing $3 million in its Mt. Sterling plant and will add 120 new jobs to the 310 it already has there.
MISSISSIPPI
BorgWarner expands in rural Mississippi
Michigan-based BorgWarner announced in late August it will expand its facility in Water Valley, Miss. The plant, which produces transmission controls, will add two new production lines and 120 jobs to the current workforce of 300.
Delphi to invest $15M in Mississippi plant, 200 jobs
Delphi Automotive says it's investing about $15 million to improve its manufacturing plant in Brookhaven, Miss. The investment by the international automotive supplier was announced by Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, who said more than 200 jobs will be retained there.
Toyota logistics company to hire 100 in Mississippi
Michigan-based KC Integrated Services is looking for a permanent location in Northeast Mississippi to serve the new Toyota plant in nearby Blue Springs. The company, which provides logistics support, has been a Tier 1 supplier to Toyota for 12 years. KC announced it will hire at least 100 workers.
NORTH CAROLINA
Celgard adding 250 jobs in Concord, N.C.
Green battery-parts manufacturer Celgard announced it is adding 250 more jobs to its plant in Cabarrus County, N.C. The company is a supplier of components used in lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Bridgestone Americas announces huge investment in Aiken, S.C.
In late September, Bridgestone Americas announced the construction of a new 1.5 million-square-foot off-road radial tire manufacturing facility that will be built on a greenfield site in Aiken County, S.C. Bridgestone also announced a 474,000-square-foot expansion of its existing passenger and light truck tire plant in Aiken. When fully completed, the $1.2 billion investment in the two projects will increase Bridgestone's workforce in Aiken County by more than 850 full-time workers. In the same week, Bridgestone announced expansions of plants in Clarksville and McMinnville, Tenn. For more information on the South's automotive industry, go to www.SouthernAutoCorridor.com.
ZF Group expanding in Laurens County
In September, The automotive supplier ZF Group announced it is investing an additional $80 million in its Laurens Co., S.C. operation. The expansion is in addition to the $350 million, 900-job new manufacturing plant the company announced in 2010. The deal in rural Laurens County will mean 300 more workers will be housed at the transmission plant.
BMW supplier plans expansion in Duncan, S.C.; will create 130 jobs
A BMW supplier revealed details about its plans for expansion into Spartanburg County, S.C. Fehrer Automotive North America LLC announced it will invest more than $14 million to establish a 100,000-square-foot production plant in Duncan and create 130 new jobs during the next five years. The company said the announcement is in response to growth during the past few years that caused it to outgrow its current 80,000-square-foot facility in Fountain Inn, which produces seat cushions for nearby BMW Manufacturing Co.
BMW suppliers expanding all over Upstate S.C.
With sales of the Spartanburg Co., S.C.-built X3 and X5 going through the roof, German automaker BMW is lifting suppliers in the region to new heights. In July, Spartanburg County officials approved incentives for four BMW suppliers to expand their operations. Eaton Corp., Fehrer, DAA Draexlmaier Automotive and SEW Eurodrive were all approved to receive incentives from the county in exchange for tens of millions of investments in their facilities in Spartanburg County.
Tire recycler relocating China plant to S.C.
In late June, Tire International announced it will bring its operations from China to Berkeley Co., S.C. The tire recycler will invest $25 million in the new plant that will house 150 workers.
Draexlmaier Automotive announces expansion in S.C.
Germany-based Draexlmaier Automotive of America will expand its current facility in Spartanburg Co., the company reported in June. The $22.35 million investment is expected to generate 150 new jobs. The company supplies parts to BMW, GM and VW.
TENNESSEE
Quaprotek to open West Tennessee plant, hire 120
Quaprotek USA plans to open a manufacturing plant in Lauderdale County, Tenn., that will employ 120 people within five years. The German company will invest $22 million in an existing, 63,000-square-foot facility in Ripley, where it will manufacture metal parts for vehicles, engines and power trains. Ripley is located about 50 miles northeast of Memphis. Most of Quaprotek's hiring will take place in the second half of 2012.
Japan-based Sekisui Plastics to open second facility in Maury County
Sekisui Plastics, a manufacturer of foamed plastics used primarily in automotive safety components, is locating a second facility in Mt. Pleasant, Tenn. The Japanese company will invest $3 million and create 25 new jobs in the deal.
Automotive supplier Investing $5M in Gallatin
ABC Group Fuel Systems announced in the summer it will expand its current facility in Gallatin, Tenn. The expansion represents a $5 million investment and the creation of 114 new jobs. ABC is a subsidiary of Toronto-based ABC Group and is a leader in plastic automotive parts.
Tennessee lands 400 new jobs, $23M NYX plant
Michigan-based auto supplier NYX Inc. is planning a $23 million plant in Perry County, Tenn. that will create 400 jobs over five years, state officials announced. The plant, located in Linden, Tenn., will produce injection-molded plastics. The company will begin production in 2012.
C&F Group to Invest $12.5M, create 450 jobs in Kingsport
C&F Group announced in the summer it will locate a manufacturing facility in Kingsport, Tenn. The Ireland-based company will invest $12.5 million and create 450 jobs over a four-year period. The Kingsport facility, which will produce automotive trim components, is the company's first U.S. location.
VW supplier growing in Tennessee
Gestamp, the first parts supplier to build a plant adjacent to VW's new factory at the Enterprise South industrial park near Chattanooga, is adding 30,000 square feet to its facility there. The $3 million ramp up in production should add about 80 more workers.
Ohio auto parts supplier to open plant in Bristol, Tenn.
DLH Industries, an Ohio-based parts supplier for GM, announced in the summer it will expand into a 60,000-square-foot plant in Bristol, Tenn. The deal will result in 75 new jobs.
Joint venture supplier operation set for La Vergne, Tenn.
Tottser-Iroquois Industries, a joint venture between a Michigan and a Pennsylvania company has begun operations in La Vergne, Tenn. The project has created 25 new jobs.
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