November 2018

For real-time news on business, politics and economic development in the South, go to www.RandleReport.com. For all of the South’s announced projects, go to www.SB-D.com.

Job generation under Obama and Trump essentially the same. But that is about to change.
So far in President Trump’s first term, the average monthly job gains have been about 208,000. In President Obama’s last five years in office, job gains averaged 207,000 per month. Yet, in Obama’s first few years in office, there was a large unemployed labor pool. Not so today with an unemployment rate in October of 3.7 percent. There is no question that monthly job growth will slow in the next two years. It has to, and it has nothing to do with politics or who is president. It has to do with demographics. With millions of Baby Boomers aging out, and only about 70,000 workers turning working age (16) each year over the last three years, the pool of workers is getting much smaller. It’s just math. It is impossible to create 200,000 jobs per month when only about a third of that total of available workers are turning 16. The only way to replace those aging out or to increase the workforce is to embrace immigration, and we all know that is not going to happen.

U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs are backfiring
According to a report by Business Forward, prices in the U.S. for hot and cold-rolled steel have risen by 13.5 percent and 8.9 percent respectively since President Trump announced plans for steel and aluminum tariffs in February. As a result, U.S. manufacturers that use the metals in their manufacturing processes are paying 15.8 percent more for steel. While the tariffs have created jobs for steelmakers in the U.S., manufacturers using steel are cutting jobs. According to Business Forward, companies that buy steel in the U.S. employ more than 46 times more workers than companies that produce steel. The Tax Foundation has estimated that the tariffs and higher metal costs will cause GDP to fall by $148 billion, and lost jobs could increase by over 450,000 for manufacturers that use steel in their processes.

Trade war costing Ford $1 billion
Few U.S. companies have been blindsided by President Trump’s trade war with China and other parts of the world more than Michigan-based Ford. Ford CEO Jim Hackett said in a November story published by Bloomberg, that Trump’s tariffs on metal imports will cost the automaker $1 billion in lost profit by the end of 2019. This, despite the fact that Ford was already buying most of its steel and aluminum from U.S. producers.

New Volvo plant in South Carolina caught in crosshairs of tariff war
Volvo Cars is pivoting its production plans just months after opening a new $1.1 billion assembly plant in Berkeley County, S.C. The Swedish automaker, which is owned by China-based Geely Holding Group, canceled plans to export roughly half the S60 sedans it assembles in South Carolina to China. Volvo will also stop U.S. imports of its popular XC60 SUV from its factory in China. It will also reduce exports of its S90 sedan built in China. The moves are being made as the automaker finds itself in a pickle regarding President Trump’s tariffs on automobiles. President Trump imposed tariffs of 27.5 percent on Chinese auto imports and in a tit-for-tat move, China’s President Xi Jinping slapped a 40 percent tariff on American-built autos. In 2022, Volvo will assemble its XC90 SUV at its South Carolina plant and will focus on the American market for the S60s it is making there for now.

Mass migration from California concerning to Texans
By Michael Randle
It’s not just companies like Toyota, which cited incredibly high housing costs when it announced in April 2014 that it was relocating its U.S. headquarters from California to Plano, Texas, it is also families moving to Texas and other places in the South looking for work and a cheaper lifestyle. In fact, in 2016 alone, 70,000 Californians relocated to Texas, according to data from the U.S. Census.

The average price of a home was over $725,000 where Toyota was operating its largest North American headquarters in Southern California. In Plano, the average home costs around $325,000. Toyota relocated about 3,000 people from California and added another 1,200 workers at its new headquarters in Plano, which has been operational since move-in day in May of 2017.

Hundreds of companies have moved their operations and headquarters from California to Texas and other parts of the South. Nissan announced it was relocating its headquarters from Southern California to Franklin, Tenn., a Nashville suburb, in 2005. Thousands of people work at Nissan headquarters near Nashville, as well as the Japanese automaker’s largest North American plant in nearby Smyrna, Tenn.

Why have Toyota and Nissan relocated their headquarters to the South? It’s the same reason so many companies have migrated to the South over the last seven decades: operational costs, and even more important for the employer, the cost of living for their employees. Simply put, the two automakers’ employees could not afford to live close to their company’s headquarters in the Los Angeles region. Now employees of Toyota and Nissan can purchase a home at their new locations and a vacation home for about the same money as their California homes.

However, there are some in Texas — the leading destination for California migrants as well as migrating companies — who are worried that the state will morph into the Golden State when it comes to rising housing costs, traffic and rising taxes. In fact, many in Texas believe the state is experiencing the same growth California saw in the ’50s, ’60s and ‘70s, and that the growth will price out the state in time. Others in Texas support the growth, pointing to the quality of life in California that technically beats the Lone Star State’s quality of life in just about every measure including education.

Trade war could relocate some BMW production from South Carolina to China
In 2017, BMW exported 81,186 vehicles made in Greer, S.C., to China with an export value of over $2 billion. Now that export is threatened by President Trump’s tariffs on cars imported from China and China’s tariffs on vehicles exported from the U.S. BMW, which is expected to lose $344 million in revenue as a result of the tariffs, is considering moving some production of its South Carolina-made SUVs to its plant in China. Because of Chinese tariffs that countered Trump’s tariffs, BMW is expected to raise the price of its South Carolina-made X models by as much as seven percent.

Auto, appliance supplier adding jobs in central Tennessee
Truform Manufacturing is investing $14 million to expand its plant in Dickson County, Tenn. The deal will create 90 new jobs.

Swedish-based auto supplier picks Orangeburg, S.C., for new plant
Gnotec Group is locating a new manufacturing plant in Orangeburg County. The company specializes in chassis structures, and the new Volvo plant is located nearby. The $5.9 million plant will house 78 workers.

Korean auto supplier expands in Greenville, Ala.
Auto supplier Hwashin America is expanding its Greenville plant with a $26 million investment. The company supplies body components for Hyundai’s plant in Montgomery, Ala. The project will create 50 jobs.

Raytheon breaks ground on new radar facility in Mississippi
Defense contractor Raytheon broke ground on its new radar production plant in Forest, Miss., in November. Raytheon is investing $100 million in the expansion that will create dozens of jobs.

Booz Allen expanding in Oklahoma
Booz Allen Hamilton is adding 240 jobs at its facilities in Oklahoma. The company will add software developers, data scientists and cybersecurity engineers at its locations in Oklahoma City and elsewhere in the state.

Auto parts maker bringing 150 jobs and $60.9 million to Middle Tennessee
Fuel Total Systems (FTS) officials recently announced plans for a new manufacturing facility in Maury County that will create 150 new jobs. FTS plans to build a 110,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in the Cherry Glen Industrial Park as part of a $60.9 million investment.

Pounds of Plastic chooses Owenton, Ky.
Canada-based Pounds of Plastic, a supplier to the automotive and general manufacturing industries, plans to invest more than $4.1 million and create 54 full-time jobs in Owenton.

Continental Tire is hiring in Mississippi
Continental Tire has begun hiring and training its first employees in advance of its $1.45 billion plant in Clinton making commercial truck, bus and transport vehicle tires by late 2019. The company is hiring about 30 shop-floor operators through the end of the year, with plans to hire a total of 2,500 people by 2028.

Eissmann Group Automotive expands Alabama plant
A Germany-based firm that specializes in car interiors, trim components, shifter modules and other parts, Eissmann Group Automotive has completed a $14.5 million expansion at its assembly plant in Pell City, Ala. The project is adding 200 workers to the company’s St. Clair County workforce.

Auto supplier to create 100 jobs in Troup County, Ga.
SEWON America, a supplier to the automotive industry, will create 100 jobs and invest $160 million in expanding its North American headquarters and manufacturing plant in LaGrange. New jobs will include positions in supervision, production and warehouse operations.

North Carolina approves incentives for tire maker’s $200 million project
Bridgestone could get up to another $30 million from taxpayers if it keeps 2,000 jobs and invests at least $150 million in improvements within a six-year period at its eastern North Carolina factory. A state panel approved grants of up to $3 million a year for 10 years to Bridgestone Americas, which is updating its Wilson tire plant.
Joint venture expands fiber production in Spartanburg, S.C.
Huvis Indorama Advanced Materials, a joint venture between Thialand’s Indorama Ventures and South Korea-based Huvis Corporation, will invest $48 million to launch new manufacturing operations at Auriga Polymers’ campus in Spartanburg County. The new operations will manufacture low melting fiber commonly used in automotive and industrial composites.

Enforge expands manufacturing complex in Albemarle, N.C.
Enforge, a manufacturer of steel-formed suspension and steering assemblies for automotive companies, will invest $4 million to expand its production plant 41 miles east of Charlotte. The company plans to create 44 new jobs.

Poorest county” in Mississippi gets 60 new jobs
Thanks to the expansion of a manufacturing plant in Holmes County, Miss., 60 new jobs will be provided to people in what is called the poorest county in the state. Hunter Engineering is spending $8 million to expand its facility to produce wheel alignment and balancing systems, brake service equipment and other auto repair equipment. The expansion also includes a 500-square-foot workforce training area to support continuous employee development.

Auto parts supplier to add 250 Kentucky jobs
Metalsa announced plans to expand its plant in Elizabethtown, Ky. Metalsa, based in Mexico, is a supplier to automotive manufacturers, and its Elizabethtown facility is one of the largest operations throughout the company.

Mercedes breaks ground on Alabama battery plant
At a groundbreaking ceremony, Mercedes-Benz officials formally marked the start of construction on a 2 million-square-foot plant in Bibb County, Ala., that will supply battery packs for the automaker’s Alabama-made electric vehicles. The battery plant is a key component in a $1 billion Mercedes expansion announced in September 2017. The plan calls for Mercedes to begin producing electric SUVs at its assembly complex in Vance, about seven miles away, at the beginning of the next decade.

Volkswagen could add 1,000 jobs in Tennessee
VW officials say they plan to add a third shift to the automaker’s Tennessee plant, a move that could add more than 1,000 workers. The new hires will help produce the five-seat Atlas SUV next year. Hiring is expected to start this year and continue in 2019.

Wheel Pros eyes York County, S.C.
Wheel Pros, a designer and distributor of aftermarket wheels, plans to establish new manufacturing and distribution operations in the former American Eagle Wheel plant in York County. The $13.9 million investment is expected to result in 275 new jobs.

Vintech Industries to open facility in Newnan, Ga.
Michigan-based Vintech Industries, which makes metal and plastic products including molding, seals and assemblies for auto manufacturers, has purchased a building in Newnan where it plans to begin production in the first quarter of 2019. The project is expected to create 30 jobs initially and eventually more than double that figure.

South Carolina manufacturer expanding with 115 new jobs
MAHLE Behr, a supplier of air conditioning and radiator assemblies, will be expanding its manufacturing operations in Charleston County. The company’s $36 million investment is projected to create 115 new jobs.

Construction is complete on 350-job project in Botetourt, Va.
Construction is complete on the ELDOR Automotive Plant, and the manufacturer is bringing hundreds of new jobs to the Botetourt area. The Italy-based company, which make pieces for ignition systems and other parts, is opening it’s first North American plant in the Roanoke Valley.

Real Truck chooses Ocala, Fla., for HQ
Real Truck, an online truck accessory retailer, will locate its global headquarters in Ocala. The company will undertake a capital investment of $2 million and create 77 jobs.

Auto supplier expands in Lee County, Miss.
Auto Parts Manufacturing Mississippi (APMM) is increasing production in Lee County, investing $100 million and creating 50 jobs. A Tier 1 automotive supplier located in Guntown, APMM produces stamped auto parts, body weld parts and plastic parts. The expansion accommodates increased production for the 2019 Toyota Corolla.

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October 2018

For real-time news on business, politics and economic development in the South, go to www.RandleReport.com. For all of the South’s announced projects, go to www.SB-D.com.

If you are set to buy a new car, buy it now, say experts
New tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on auto parts from China will not only impact automaker profits and cut sales, the costs are going straight to your wallet. Trump’s tariffs on over 100 imported Chinese auto parts — from tires to brake pads to batteries — will increase the cost of vehicles made in the U.S. “It’s going to be felt by Americans and it’s going to be a big deal,” said Peter Nagle, senior analyst at IHS Markit.

Wheel manufacturer investing in South Carolina facility
Wheel Pros, a manufacturer of branded aftermarket wheels, is investing almost $14 million in a facility in York County, S.C. The project will create 275 new jobs.

Auto supplier expands in South Carolina
MAHLE Behr Charleston, a supplier of air conditioning and radiator assemblies for the automotive industry, is investing $36 million in its plant in Charleston County, S.C. The deal will create 115 new jobs.

Toyota builds first next-gen engine at Alabama plant
Toyota’s Huntsville, Ala., plant produced its first next-generation four-cylinder engine in September. The engine was made possible after a $106 million investment to prepare the facility for advanced production. The next-gen project replaced the entire four-cylinder engine line at the plant. The facility is the only one in the world where Toyota makes four-cylinder, V-6 and V-8s.

Auto parts supplier expands in Mississippi
Automotive supplier Auto Parts Manufacturing Mississippi is increasing production capacity at its plant in Lee County, Miss. The company is a Tier 1 supplier of stamped parts to Toyota’s assembly plant in nearby Blue Springs, Miss. The $100 million project will create 50 jobs.

Volvo at full production at new South Carolina assembly plant
Volvo is now at full production of its newly designed S60 sedan at its new plant in Berkeley County, S.C. The first S60 models will arrive at U.S. dealerships later this year. Global distribution will begin in the spring of 2019. There are about 2,000 employees at the plant, with 2,000 more slated to be hired when the Chinese-owned, Sweden-based automaker builds another line for XC90 SUV.

Hunter Engineering expands Mississippi operations
Automotive service equipment manufacturer Hunter Engineering will invest $8 million to expand operations in Durant, Miss. The company plans to create 60 jobs.

Mercedes supplier hiring 250 in Alabama
Lear, a supplier of seating and electrical systems to the Mercedes plant in Vance, is hiring 250 entry-level operators.

ZF plans $40 million, 60-job expansion in Gainesville, Ga.
German car parts maker ZF is investing more than $40 million to expand its plant in Gainesville. ZF will add three new assembly lines and 60 new jobs.

New Flyer cuts ribbon on $30 million facility in Bullitt County, Ky.
New Flyer of America in Shepherdsville recently unveiled its $30 million transit bus and motor coach parts manufacturing facility that will create up to 550 jobs.

Reich plans $10.9 million investment in Arden, N.C.
Reich, a precision vehicle parts manufacturer, plans to invest $10.9 million into its facility, adding 15 new jobs to its workforce in the process.

One hundred jobs, $72 million coming to Newton County, Ga.
Japan-based Nisshinbo Automotive Manufacturing (NAMI), a manufacturer of environmentally friendly brake pads, will create 100 jobs and invest $72 million in an expansion of its Covington facility. New jobs at the facility will include positions in production and administration.

Mercedes opens first Sprinter factory in the U.S.
In September, Mercedes opened its first Sprinter van production plant in the U.S. In addition to cutting the ribbon at the $500 million factory in North Charleston, S.C., the company announced an order for 20,000 of the vans from Amazon. The facility employs 900 workers.

Volvo Car University coming to South Carolina
Volvo Car USA plans to build Volvo Car University at its Berkeley County campus later this year. The university will focus on workforce training and leadership development for North America.

New jobs for South Carolina after $5.8 million automotive expansion
By 2020, JTEKT North America plans to fill at least 100 new positions as a part of its $5.8 million expansion on the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research.

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September 2018

September 2018

For real-time news on business, politics and economic development in the South, go to www.RandleReport.com. For all of the South’s announced projects, go to www.SB-D.com.

Nissan to invest $170 million to upgrade Tennessee and Mississippi plants
Nashville-based Nissan North America plans to invest $170 million at its two plants in the Southern Auto Corridor. The upgrades are being done to support the Nissan Altima model that is built at both facilities.

Manufacturer setting up shop near Honda’s Alabama plant
Lohr North America, a maker of car carriers, is converting an existing building in Lincoln, Ala., for a new plant. The French company will hire 140 workers in the deal.

France-based auto supplier to locate new operation in Middle Tennessee
Faurecia Interior Systems announced it will locate a $30 million plant in Maury County, Tenn. The plant will house 143 workers.

Michelin to reopen Earthmover tire production plant in South Carolina
A Michelin plant that was built in 2012 and idled in 2016, is expected to be back up running soon in Starr, S.C. The tire maker is expected to hire 100 workers for the reopening.

Auto parts supplier adding jobs in Kentucky
Webasto, a sunroof manufacturer, announced in August it will invest $15 million in its panorama roof systems line at its plant in Lexington, Ky. The deal will create 183 jobs.

Daimler delivers 50,000th Freightliner from North Carolina plant
Germany-based Daimler AG, the company that assembles the Freightliner Cascadia, has delivered the 50,000th model of the truck since production began 19 months ago at its plant in Rowan County, N.C. Daimler Trucks North America has garnered about 40 percent of the market share of Class 6 and Class 8 long-haul trucks.

Toyota’s Kentucky plant unveils next generation 2019 Lexus ES 350
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky unveiled the next generation Lexus ES 350 sedan model that is built at the Japanese automaker’s plant in Georgetown. Over 150,000 hours of training was done to build the new ES 350 that included sensory training that teaches workers on the assembly line to feel for defections that could be as small as a strand of hair. The plant will also build the F Sport high-performance model. The Kentucky plant is the only place in the world outside of Japan where Lexus models are produced.

South Carolina-made BMWs now cost more for Chinese buyers
China is a popular destination for South Carolina-made BMW SUVs. However, in the wake of China’s 40 percent tax on U.S. car imports (in a retaliatory move, China added a 25 percent tariff on American vehicles), BMW will raise the price of its vehicles by up to seven percent.

Auto parts distributor to expand operations in Tennessee
Revel Enterprises will invest $2.3 million to expand its auto parts distribution facility in Paris, Tenn. The deal will create 64 jobs.

Auto and truck parts manufacturer hiring in Mississippi
SMW Manufacturing, which opened in Oxford, Miss., in 2017, is expanding after starting the project with 50 jobs. Located in a former Caterpillar facility, the company makes parts for heavy truck, automotive and mining industrial markets. The $4 million deal will create 25 jobs.

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August 2018

For real-time news on business, politics and economic development in the South, go to www.RandleReport.com. For all economic development projects announced in the South, go to www.SB-D.com.

Honda opens $85 million logistics expansion in Alabama
Honda opened its latest expansion, a logistics operation that has added 400,000 square feet to its assembly plant in Lincoln, Ala. The new logistics facility will handle more than 4 million parts that arrive at the plant every day.

New megasite being rolled out in Crittenden County, Ark.
The city of Marion, in Crittenden County, Ark., was a bridesmaid to two Toyota assembly plants over the last 15 years. In 2003, Marion lost the Toyota plant that went to San Antonio and then again in 2007 it lost out to Mississippi for another Toyota plant. Now, Crittenden County and the cities of West Memphis and Marion are rolling out a new 1,830-acre megasite on Interstate 40 near Lehi, Ark. Crittenden County and Entergy Arkansas are working on certifying the site through the Select Site program.

Company expanding in Mississippi
SMW, a company that makes components for the heavy truck, construction and automotive markets, is expanding its plant in Lafayette County, Miss. The $4 million deal will create 25 jobs.

Auto parts supplier expands in Tennessee
U.S. Tsubaki, an auto parts manufacturer, is investing over $35 million to expand its facilities in Portland, Tenn. The company, which will create 70 new jobs, is a supplier of parts to Nissan, Ford, GM and Toyota.

Auto industry would need $7.6 billion bailout to offset tariffs
A study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that came out this summer showed that the Trump administration would need to offer the auto industry $7.6 billion in taxpayer-funded aid to counter tariffs in the escalating trade conflict with China and the European Union. The bailout would be similar to the $12 billion in aid President Trump gave U.S. farmers as China, the EU, Mexico and Canada enacted retaliatory tariffs on farm products.

Honda announces another expansion of its Alabama plant
Honda is once again investing in its large assembly plant in Lincoln, Ala. The latest expansion by the automaker is a $54 million investment that will add 50,000 square feet of space at its second line operations. Honda employs more than 4,500 workers at its Alabama plant.

Truck maker Oshkosh plans new East Tennessee facility
Wisconsin-based Oshkosh, a manufacturer of firetrucks, concrete mixers and defense vehicles, announced plans to renovate the 500,000-square-foot former John Deere facility in Jefferson City, Tenn. The project will create 300 jobs. .

Big River Steel expanding Arkansas mill
Big River Steel is investing $1.2 billion in an expansion that will double the capacity of its hot-rolled steel facility in Osceola, Ark. The expansion will facilitate the company’s ability to produce even higher grades of electrical steel, demand for which is expected to increase with continued focus on energy efficiency and the increase in hybrid and electric vehicle sales.

DENSO expands Kentucky facility
DENSO Air Systems Michigan will double its footprint in Christian County, Ky. The company plans to invest more than $3.5 million and create 45 full-time jobs. The expansion will boost production of aluminum HVAC pipes, tubes and hose assemblies for the automotive industry.

Bowling Green Metalforming plans $14 million expansion
Bowling Green Metalforming, a Canadian-owned automotive parts manufacturer, plans its sixth expansion since 2004, a $14.2 million investment set to create 27 new jobs in Warren County, Ky.

Auto supplier to spend $40 million in Alabama expansion
Japan-based Unipres, an automotive supplier specializing in stamping technologies, plans to invest $40 million in an expansion that will create 70 additional jobs at its Alabama production facility. The project will enhance production of parts for Nissan’s luxury mid-size vehicle.

Steel Dynamics to invest more than $230 million In Columbus, Miss.
Fort Wayne, Indiana-based Steel Dynamics announced plans to invest $230 million to upgrade its northeast Mississippi steel mill, creating 45 jobs. Steel Dynamics says it has unmet demand for galvanized steel after it shifted some production at the Columbus mill from selling to pipe and tube makers to selling to more lucrative customers, including auto and appliance makers.

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July 2018

For real-time news on business, politics and economic development in the South, go to www.RandleReport.com. For all economic development projects announced in the South, go to www.SB-D.com.

Steel firm to invest $230 million in Columbus, Miss.

Steel Dynamics has announced plans to invest $230 million to upgrade its northeast Mississippi steel mill, creating 45 jobs. The company, based in Fort Wayne, Ind., is shifting production from selling to pipe and tube makers to more lucrative customers, including auto and appliance makers.

Japanese auto supplier expanding Alabama plant with $40 million investment

Unipres Alabama plans to invest $40 million in a new hot stamping process at its production facility in St. Clair County, Ala. The move will create 70 new jobs. The company supplies products for Nissan and Honda.

DENSO Air Systems plans $3.5 million expansion in Hopkinsville, Ky.

DENSO Air Systems Michigan will expand its presence in Christian County with a $3.5 million investment creating 45 full-time jobs. The automotive components manufacturer is headquartered in Japan.

BLG Logistics locates operations in Ladson, S.C.

Designed to support Mercedes-Benz Vans’ production operations, BLG Logistics is locating new operations in Charleston County, projected to create 28 new jobs.

Chemical company launches $11 million expansion of Alabama location

South Korea-based Lotte Chemical Alabama is investing $11.4 million in its Auburn facility. The company manufactures compounded polypropylene resin for plastic automotive and home appliance uses at the site.

Automotive supplier expands manufacturing in Mississippi

A German company that makes automotive parts is expanding in Tishomingo County — hago Automotive Corp. will add 60 jobs and invest $4 million for new equipment in Iuka. By doubling the size of its existing facility, hago Automotive will be able meet the needs of BMW in the U.S., China and South Africa.

Microporous breaks ground in Piney Flats, Tenn.

Microporous held a groundbreaking ceremony recently for its $20 million expansion that will create 35 jobs. The company manufactures separators for batteries that are used in automotive and nuclear products.

JW Aluminum investing $255 million in South Carolina

JW Aluminum, a manufacturer of flat-rolled aluminum products, will invest $255 million in an expansion of its existing Berkeley County operations. The facility’s growth is expected to lead to the creation of 50 new jobs.

Lear Corp. to hire 500 in Alabama

Mercedes-Benz supplier Lear Corp. is hiring 500 people to manufacture seat assemblies for Mercedes-Benz’s Vance plant.

Corvac Composites plans $6.1 million investment in Morgantown, Ky.

Automotive supplier Corvac Composites will expand production in Morgantown, Ky., with a $6.1 million investment expected to create 30 full-time jobs. Corvac makes automotive underbody systems.

Koops expands South Carolina operations

Koops, a manufacturer of automation systems, is growing its existing Greenville County production operations by moving into a larger building Mauldin, S.C. The company’s $2.2 million investment is projected to create 20 new jobs.

Online retailer promises 77 new jobs for Ocala, Fla.

RealTruck, an online retailer of pickup truck parts and accessories, is seeking $385,000 from the city, county and state to establish its national headquarters in Ocala. The company plans to create 77 new jobs.

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June 2018

For real-time news on business, politics and economic development in the South, go to www.RandleReport.com. For all economic development projects announced in the South, go to www.SB-D.com.

South dominates Forbes’ best cities for jobs ranking

Forbes came out with its best cities for jobs ranking in the spring quarter and Dallas-Fort Worth ranked No. 1. Following DFW was Austin, Nashville, Charlotte, Orlando and Raleigh in the South. San Jose, San Francisco, Seattle and Riverside-San Bernardino all made the top 10 from outside the South.

Magna hiring 100 in Tennessee

Automotive supplier Magna Seating is recruiting 100 new full-time employees to join its production line in Spring Hill.

Braidy Industries breaks ground on East Kentucky project

An aluminum company that has drawn controversy and questions about its financing and investors has broken ground in Ashland, Ky. Braidy Industries, the developer of the aluminum rolling mill, is expected to spend about $1.3 billion and will provide aluminum for the automotive and aerospace industries. The project will create around 550 jobs and be constructed in phases.

German company breaks ground on $24 million plant in Mooresville, N.C.

Construction has begun on a $24 million automotive-parts plant in Mooresville that’s expected to bring more than 300 jobs to southern Iredell County. Tristone Flowtech USA celebrated its arrival in the Charlotte area with a groundbreaking ceremony.

Canadian manufacturer bringing “jobs of the future” to Phipps Bend, Tenn.

Canada-based RMC Advanced Technologies is opening a new plant in Hawkins County that will also serve as the company’s U.S. headquarters and base for future expansion. The $7 million advanced manufacturing facility will initially employ 54 to manufacture large body parts for big rig trucks.

Novelis breaks ground on Kentucky aluminum plant

Novelis recently broke ground on its $300 million automotive aluminum sheet manufacturing facility in Guthrie, Ky. The 400,000-square-foot plant will create 125 jobs. Novelis plans to begin producing automotive aluminum at the site in 2020.

Ingevity expands Virginia carbon plant

A company that produces specialty chemicals and carbon materials, Ingevity Corporation, will expand capacity at its plant in Covington, Va. The expansion will meet growing demand for pelletized carbon products, which are primarily used in emission control systems in cars, trucks, motorcycles and boats. Representing an investment of $35-40 million, the project is expected to be operational by the fall of 2019.

Nucor plans another huge expansion at Arkansas plant

Just recently celebrating the completion of its $230 million cold mill addition in Blytheville, Nucor  announced plans to build a galvanized steel sheet metal production line at the plant at a cost of $240 million. The company says the two projects are important parts of its plans to expand its share of the automotive steel market.

Nissei Plastics opens San Antonio campus

Japan-based Nissei Plastic Machinery America recently celebrated the opening of its new 115,000-square-foot production facility in San Antonio, Texas. The company invested $21 million in the facility and its injection molding machines. Nissei cited Texas’ tax structure, San Antonio’s geographic location, and the fact that the area has attracted a number of automakers and is in close proximity to automotive manufacturing clusters in the Midwest region. San Antonio also boasts ready access to Mexico, with its own rapidly growing auto industry.

Auto supply opening U.S. HQ in Panama City, Fla.

A company based in Mexico that supplies auto parts to manufacturers worldwide has chosen Bay County to open its first U.S. headquarters and manufacturing operation. Air Temp of Mexico, which is located in Merida, Yukatan, expects to initially hire 50 people to fill high-tech manufacturing jobs at an average annual salary of $42,000.

Meritor expands South Carolina manufacturing center

Meritor, a Michigan-based supplier for the commercial vehicle market, is expanding its existing operations in Manning, S.C. The $5.2 million investment is projected to create 31 new jobs in Clarendon County.

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May 2018

For real-time news on business, politics and economic development in the South, go to www.RandleReport.com. For all economic development projects announced in the South, go to www.SB-D.com.

South Korean manufacturer to build new plant in West Tennessee

Dong-A USA, an automotive and appliance supplier, will invest $13 million in a new plant in Martin,Tenn. The South Korean company makes rubber and plastic components. The deal will create 200 new jobs.

Big automotive parts supplier opens Alabama plant

Samvardhana Motherson Peguform (SMP) has officially opened its new 700,000-square-foot plant in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The company has invested $150 million in the facility and the plant already houses 320 workers. Plans are to hire up to 1,000.

General Motors returns to three shifts at Tennessee plant

GM will add a third shift that it took down in November at its plant in Spring Hill, Tenn. The third shift will add about 1,000 jobs. GM added the shift because of high demand for its GMC Acadia and Cadillac XT5 models.

Plant coming to Vidalia, La. 

Syrah Resources announced in the spring it will build a $25 million graphite processing facility in Vidalia, La. The plant will produce graphite anode materials for batteries in electric vehicles and other products. The Australian company will hire 55 workers in the deal.

Toyota creating hundreds of jobs at Mississippi plant

Toyota announced in the spring quarter it is investing $170 million at its Blue Springs, Miss., assembly plant to add capacity. The Japanese automaker builds the Corolla model there. The deal will create 400 jobs.

Alabama sees record 15,000 new manufacturing jobs in 2017

In calendar year 2017, 15,465 manufacturing jobs were created in Alabama with a record investment total of $4.41 billion. The automotive and aerospace sectors led the way followed by forest products and food production.

Constuction begins on Mazda-Toyota plant in Alabama on October 1

Constuction on Huntsville, Ala.’s $1.6 billion Mazda-Toyota plant is scheduled to start on October 1, according to Gov. Kay Ivey. The plant is expected to house 4,000 workers.

Chinese tire plant gets bigger

Last year, China-based Triangle Tire announced a $582 million, 800-employee tire plant at the Kingsboro CSX Select Megasite in Edgecombe County, N.C. In the spring quarter, company officials raised those numbers to just over $1 billion and between 1,100 and 1,200 jobs at the unbuilt plant.

Commercial truck facility adding jobs in Kentucky

E-Z Pack Refuse Hauling Solutions, a maker of commercial trucks, is investing $6.85 million in its plant in Harrison County, Ky. The deal will create about 100 jobs.

Port of Mobile signs MOU to ship vehicles 

The Alabama State Port Authority is partnering with a joint venture from South America to build and operate a facility that enables vehicles to be driven on and off of ships at the Port of Mobile. The joint venture is called AutoMobile International Terminal. An automobile handling center at the Port of Mobile would clearly be an advantage to Alabama’s three operating auto assembly plants — Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai and Honda — as well as the Mazda-Toyota joint venture assembly plant in Huntsville that begins construction in October. The new terminal could create 600 or more jobs.

Autocar opens $120 million plant in Birmingham

Autocar, a manufacturer of concrete trucks and garbage trucks, has opened it $120 million plant in Birmingham at a 1.3 million-square-foot facility, a former Meadowcraft Complex. The company currently employs 746 workers.

Auto parts supplier plans South Carolina plant

Germany-based Paul Bippus GmbH, a manufacturer of precision parts, is opening a plant in Summerville, S.C. The $16 million facility will supply parts to the nearby Robert Bosch plant. The deal will create 45 jobs.

Nucor completes latest Arkansas expansion

In the spring quarter, Nucor Steel Arkansas completed its $230 million cold mill expansion. The company makes steel for the automotive industry near Blytheville, Ark., and is one of the largest employers in Mississippi County. About 100 jobs will be added at the mill.

Tire maker joint venture picks Atlanta for HQ

A new joint venture between two global tire makers is locating it headquarters in Atlanta. Goodyear and Bridgestone have created TireHub, a tire distribution joint venture. The new company will attempt to meet the growing demand for larger rim diameter premium tires. The new headquarters in Atlanta will house 150 workers.

Volvo’s South Carolina plant nears opening

Volvo is nearing the opening of its plant in Berkeley County, S.C. Production is expected to begin this summer. Like everyone else, Volvo is struggling to fill its employment goals at the plant, which at its height will be 4,000 workers at the $1.2 billion facility.

Big deal in Northeast Tennessee

Belgian-based Van Hool NV, a manufacturer of buses, coaches and industrial vehicles, will establish its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Morristown, Tenn. The family-owned company plans to invest $47 million to build a 500,000-square-foot facility in Morristown’s East Tennessee Progress Center. About 640 jobs will be created in the deal.

Two foreign companies adding 100-plus jobs in Charlotte region

Tokyo-based Yokohama Tire will open a research and development facility in Cornelius, adding 56 jobs and nearly $5.9 million in investment, while Kurz, a hot stamping and coating technology company based in Furth, Germany, will build a new $18 million North American headquarters in Huntersville and hire 90 new positions by 2022.

ATLASBX locating first U.S. manufacturing facility in Tennessee

ATLASBX  will locate its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Clarksville, Tenn. The automotive battery manufacturer will invest $75 million and create approximately 200 jobs in Montgomery County.

Manufacturer Dhollandia building $30 million North Carolina facility

Belgium-based manufacturer Dhollandia broke ground in Gaston County, N.C., on what will become the company’s first manufacturing facility in the United States. The new 160,000-square-foot facility, which will manufacture hydraulic lift gates for trucks, is expected to create up to 200 new jobs.

Auto supplier Yorozu opens Jasper, Ala., plant

Auto parts maker Yorozu recently marked the grand opening of its $110 million manufacturing plant in Walker County, where hiring has been ramping up and will continue to grow to 300. The Tier 1 automotive supplier produces metal stamped suspension components for automakers including Honda, Toyota and Nissan.

Fitzgerald Industries opens Kentucky plant

Fitzgerald Industries II, which manufactures aluminum dump-truck beds, will locate in the former Belden plant in Monticello, Ky. The company plans to invest $6 million and create 250 full-time jobs.

Adient to invest $10.8 million in Tennessee

Adient will invest $10.8 million in its Lexington facility and create 200 new jobs. The automotive seating and interior systems manufacturer plans to upgrade its facility by installing equipment and expanding production in Henderson County, Tenn.

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April 2018

For real-time news on business, politics and economic development in the South, go to www.RandleReport.com. For all economic development projects announced in the South, go to www.SB-D.com.

Nissan’s milestone in Mississippi

Nissan’s plant in Canton, Miss., produced its 4 millionth vehicle, a 2018 NV Cargo van, marking a major milestone for the facility that opened in 2003. To meet demand for the NV, the Japanese automaker is adding a second shift in April. About 250 jobs will be created or retained to staff the second shift.

Fitzgerald Industries to buy former Belden Plant in Monticello, Ky., create 250 jobs

Fitzgerald Industries, which manufactures aluminum dump truck beds, will locate in the former Belden plant in Monticello with a $6 million investment that will create 250 full-time jobs.

New business brings jobs to Marion County, S.C.

Marion County recently welcomed DMA Sales, a North Carolina-based auto parts manufacturer, as the company expands its business with a new facility in Mullins. This $5 million, 300,000-square-foot facility is the largest distribution center for DMA Sales, which manufactures shocks and struts for customers including Nissan and O’Riley Auto Parts, and will use the new facility to store and supply those parts. The new facility will bring DMA Sales’ staff to 34 full-time employees over the next several months.

Auto supplier Yorozu opens Jasper, Ala., Plant

Auto parts maker Yorozu marked the grand opening of its $110 million manufacturing plant in Walker County, where hiring has been ramping up and will continue to grow. The Tier 1 automotive supplier produces metal stamped suspension components for automakers including Honda, Toyota and Nissan.

Magna South Carolina plant to supply BMW

Headquartered in Ontario, Canada, Magna will supply seats to BMW Group for the first time with the opening of its seat-manufacturing facility in Spartanburg County, S.C. At the recent grand opening, Magna also announced an $8 million expansion of the plant, which will add 25,000 square feet and an additional 130 jobs, bringing the total workforce to 610 jobs at the facility, which will supply seats for BMW X5, X6 and X7 models.

Corvid Technologies expands HQ in Mooresville, N.C.

Engineering firm Corvid Technologies, which provides physics-based engineering solutions for the defense, automotive, aircraft, and biomedical industries, will invest $28.9 million to locate its headquarters and create 367 new jobs in Iredell County. Salaries will average $100,000.

Over 170 new jobs in Loudon, Tenn.

Morgan Olsen is immediately hiring over 170 positions. The company produces walk-in vans and is looking to quickly fill these positions after being awarded a “record-breaking” contract for over 6,000 vans.

Dorman Products plans hub in Portland, Tenn.

Dorman Products will invest more than $55 million to expand its operations in Robertson County, Tenn. The Pennsylvania-based automotive parts manufacturer plans to establish a new production and distribution facility and create approximately 215 jobs.

Magna Plant expanding in Spartanburg County, S.C.

Magna International, which is headquartered in Canada, will be expanding its automotive seat manufacturing plant in the Upstate and creating 130 new jobs.

Volvo Cars gears up for mass hiring in South Carolina

Volvo Cars has begun producing prototypes of its new S60 sedan to prepare for full production by the end of the year in Berkeley County. The test cars (not to be sold) help new hires learn how to make the vehicles before producing them in real time.

Volkswagen announces $340 million Chattanooga investment

Volkswagen announced plans to build a third model at its Chattanooga plant, representing a $340 million investment in addition to the $900 million already invested to expand the plant for Atlas production. Beginning in the last quarter of 2019, the plant will make a five-seat SUV based on its Atlas, a seven-seat vehicle that’s already built in Chattanooga. Volkswagen currently employs 3,500 people at the plant, and that number could grow based on sales of the new SUV.

Mercedes-Benz to add innovation lab in Atlanta

Mercedes-Benz will open an innovation lab, named Lab1886, in metro Atlanta, a surprise announcement that came as the German automaker opened its new North American headquarters in Sandy Springs. Lab1886, a reference to the year the founders of Mercedes’ parent company, Daimler Group, built the first automobile powered by an internal combustion engine, will help fast-track projects and services from design to market.

German auto supplier opens $46.3 million plant in Alabama

MöllerTech, a German auto supplier, has opened a $46.3 million plant in Bibb County. Company officials say 222 employees will be hired at the new supply plant by the end of 2019.

Truck & Wheel Group opens $30 million Alabama wheel assembly plant

Spain-based auto supplier Truck & Wheel Group opened a new 127,000-square-foot manufacturing facility that will supply wheel assemblies for automakers in the Southeast. The $30 million project will create more than 70 jobs.

Fastener company planning $45 million plant upgrade in Waco

Arconic Fastening Systems & Rings, a maker of heavy-duty fasteners used on trucks and rail cars, plans a $44.8 million upgrade of its plant. The Waco City Council has endorsed Arconic’s request to participate in the Texas Enterprise Zone program that could allow the plant to receive a $2,500 rebate for each of its 403 employees. The Governor’s Office for Economic Development and Tourism must approve the request before Arconic qualifies to receive sales tax rebates on $41.3 million in equipment and machinery upgrades, as well as $3.5 million in facility improvements.

Denso invests millions, adds 320 jobs in Tennessee

Automotive supplier Denso announced a $190 million investment in its Athens, Tenn., facility that will add four new production lines and 320 jobs focused on electrification and safety systems.

Waymo picks Atlanta for self-driving truck pilot

Self-driving big rigs are rumbling into Atlanta as Waymo, the self-driving unit of Google-parent Alphabet, will launch a pilot in Atlanta where its electric blue self-driving trucks will carry cargo bound for Google’s data centers, including a 2 million-square-foot server farm in Lithia Springs, Ga. The company believes self-driving technology will cut down on driver fatigue and keep trucks on the road longer.

Smyrna’s Topre America announces 50 new jobs

Topre America Corp. has announced plans to expand its existing facility in Smyrna, Ga., representing a $37.8 million capital investment and the creation of 50 jobs. Topre America provides automotive stamping and body structure assemblies for Nissan, Honda and Toyota.

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March 2018

For real-time news on business, politics and economic development in the South, go to www.RandleReport.com. For all economic development projects announced in the South, go to www.SB-D.com.

Automotive headquarters settling in Atlanta
In the winter quarter, PSA Group chose Atlanta for its North American headquarters. The French automaker that builds Peugeots and other brands is making a comeback in the U.S. General Motors also picked Atlanta for one of its four innovation centers and employs over 1,000 workers. Mercedes-Benz just moved into its new North American headquarters in Atlanta and Porsche also operates its headquarters near the Atlanta airport.

The Toyota-Mazda joint venture in Alabama will be a new company
Near the end of the winter quarter, officials with Toyota and Mazda were still working on plans for their new North Alabama plant, which was announced in January. The $1.6 billion, 4,000-employee complex is being built on a Huntsville, Ala.-annexed site near I-65 in Limestone County. The new plant will build the Toyota Corolla model and a new Mazda SUV. Brian Krinock, senior vice president in charge of Toyota plants in North America, said in Automotive News that there is more to the facility than simply being a joint venture between Mazda and Toyota. “It’s a new company,” Krinock said. “Not Toyota and not Mazda, but a new company. There’s no name for it yet.”

BMW’s South Carolina plant top exporter
For the fourth consecutive year, the BMW plant in Spartanburg County, S.C., was the nation’s largest automotive exporter based on value in 2017. BMW exported 272,346 vehicles, most of which were shipped through the Port of Charleston, in calendar year 2017. The vehicle exports were valued at $8.76 billion.

California newspaper publishes op-ed titled, “Why California should be more like Alabama — seriously”
In the winter quarter, Tom Manzo, president of Timely Industries and founder of the California Business and Industrial Alliance, penned an opinion piece that was published by the Orange County Register. Manzo cited the Toyota-Mazda plant that was announced in January that will be built in Huntsville, Ala. “California has a well-earned reputation of being business unfriendly, and according to one analysis has lost over 1,700 companies in the past decade” (to other states), Manzo wrote. “Fifteen states were competing for the Toyota-Mazda joint venture; California was not even on the bench” (for the project).

“Yes, our climate is great — but talented young professionals can find great culture and a great food scene in Birmingham just as well as Berkeley. They can also afford to live there,” Manzo continued. (The median home price in Alabama is $126,500. It is just under $500,000 in California).

Manzo finished his op-ed with this: “As the state legislature returns to Sacramento for a new session, my hope is that they’ll choose to be less like themselves — and more like Alabama. The future of our state’s small and mid-sized businesses depends on it.”

Topre America expanding again in Cullman, Ala.
Topre America, a manufacturer of stamped parts for Honda, Toyota and Nissan, is investing $80 million in its plant in Cullman, Ala. The new capacity will supply parts to the Nissan plant in Smyrna, Tenn., for the Altima model. The deal will create almost 100 jobs.

Ford investing in Louisville Truck Plant
Ford Motor Co. is adding capacity of large SUVs at its plant in Louisville. The automaker is investing $25 million to increase production by 25 percent of its Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator models. No new jobs will be created, but 400 new robots will be added.

Cooper Tire expanding in Mississippi
Cooper Tire & Rubber is locating its largest distribution center in the U.S. in Marshall County, Miss. The company will lease a new 1-million-square-foot facility and will spend $50 million in the deal that will create 100 jobs.

French automaker chooses Atlanta for North American HQ
Groupe PSA, a French manufacturer of cars and motorcycles, has chosen Atlanta for its North American headquarters. Its brands include Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel and Vauxhall cars. The company joins Porsche and Mercedes-Benz with headquarters in Atlanta.

Molding company expands in Mississippi
Richardson Molding, a manufacturer of custom plastic-injection-molded products for the industrial lead battery sector and automotive market, is investing over $5 million to expand its plant in Philadelphia, Miss. The deal will create 53 jobs.

Metal treatment manufacturer lands in Arkansas
Applied Process, a metal treatment company that does work for the aerospace and automotive industries, is opening a new plant in Fort Smith, Ark. The $2.5 million project will create 30 new jobs.

BASF expanding Louisiana plant
BASF will nearly double production of MDI at its plant in Geismar, La. MDI is used to produce polyurethane foams for insulation, construction and automotive products. The project calls for an investment of $150 million.

New jobs coming to Lawrenceburg, Tenn.
MARTIN Technologies announced it will locate in Lawrenceburg and employ 250-plus workers. The company, headquartered in New Hudson, Mich., was founded in 1996 by engineer and drag racer Harold Martin, and provides solutions to the automotive, marine, aerospace and defense industries.

Auto parts distributor locates in Mullins, S.C.
DMA Holdings is locating new operations in Mullins with a $4.7 million investment and 34 new jobs. The company’s product line consists of shocks and struts, mount kits, brake wear sensors and other auto replacement parts.

Denso invests $190 million, adds 320 jobs in Athens, Tenn.
Auto supplier Denso is expanding its operations in North America through a $190 million investment in its Athens, Tenn., facility. The investment will add four new production lines and 320 jobs. In September, DENSO announced a $1 billion investment in its Maryville, Tenn., facility, creating 1,000 jobs focused on electrification and safety systems.

Two manufacturers make $15 million investment in Alabama facilities
An auto parts maker and a dietary supplements manufacturer are expanding in Lee County, Ala. Mando America Corp. manufactures auto parts such as brakes, suspensions and steering systems. It is investing more than $10 million at its headquarters in Opelika.

Pharmavite, based in California, manufactures dietary supplements and is investing approximately $5.6 million it its Opelika facility

Magna Seating planning $8 million expansion, 130 jobs
A BMW supplier that recently opened in Spartanburg County is already planning to expand. Magna Seating has asked the county for $120,000 in additional infrastructure credits for an $8 million expansion that would create 130 full-time jobs. The revised fee-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement would grant Magna a total of $810,000 in special source revenue credits through 2020, with a total planned investment of $37 million and the creation of 610 jobs.

Meritor expanding operations in York County, S.C.
Meritor, a global supplier of drivetrain, braking and aftermarket solutions for commercial vehicle markets, is expanding its existing operations in York County. The $7.8 million investment is projected to create 26 new jobs.

Blue Springs, Mo., gets new auto parts manufacturer
A leading automotive technology company, Faurecia, will build a new $60 million, 250,000-square-foot facility in Blue Springs, Mo., creating 300 new jobs. The plant will manufacture and assemble door and instrument panels.

Thirty new automotive jobs for Marion County, S.C.
DMA Holdings is locating new operations in Mullins, S.C. The automotive parts distributor is projected to create 34 new jobs with a $4.7 million investment.

Fort Smith, Ark., gets a boost
Fort Smith’s notoriety as a manufacturing town was given a boost over the past couple of weeks with two jobs announcements that will add about 180 jobs to the local economy. A majority of those jobs – 150 — will come from Chesterfield, Mo.-based Silgan Plastics. Another 30 jobs will come from Allied Process, a metal treatment company that does work for the aerospace, automotive and railroad industries.

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February 2018

For real-time news on business, politics and economic development in the South, go to www.RandleReport.com. For all economic development projects announced in the South, go to www.SB-D.com.

Big win in Missouri 20 years ago comes to a close
One of the most sought-after projects in the South in the late 1990s is coming to a close. Wisconsin-based Harley-Davidson is closing its motorcycle assembly plant in Kansas City, Mo. The plant opened in 1998. Production is being shifted to the company’s York, Pa., plant. The closing affects about 800 workers in Kansas City.

U.K. diplomat says what kept Toyota-Mazda from North Carolina would not be a problem for Jaguar Land Rover
In an article published by the Raleigh News & Observer in January, British diplomat Jeremy Pilmore-Bedford, the United Kingdom’s Atlanta-based consul general, was in Raleigh in January and was quoted as saying that Jaguar Land Rover could be a future target for North Carolina leaders that want to land the state’s first automaker. Toyota-Mazda passed on North Carolina and picked a site in Huntsville, Ala., for the latest plant in the Southern Auto Corridor. Reports indicated North Carolina did not have a large enough existing parts supplier base. Pilmore-Bedford said that would not be an issue with Jaguar Land Rover because if the British carmaker built a plant in the U.S., it would “start from scratch” by bringing in its own suppliers.

North Carolina adds fifth certified megasite
In addition to sites in Chatham, Randolph and Edgecombe counties, a new megasite has been certified in North Carolina. The new, 1,394-acre site is in Person County, north of Durham.

Nissan expects to build new U.S. plant within five years
Hiroto Saikawa, CEO of Nissan, told attendees at the Detroit Auto Show that the Japanese automaker will need to build a new U.S. plant in four to five years. The company operates its largest North American plant in Smyrna, Tenn., and another in Canton, Miss., in the Southern Automotive Corridor.

VW to invest $3.3 billion in North America
Volkswagen announced it will invest $3.3 billion in North America over the next three years to increase market share. About $1.2 billion will be invested in the U.S. VW’s only U.S. plant is in Chattanooga, Tenn., where it employs about 3,500 workers.

Tennessee official: Memphis megasite needs $80 million in infrastructure improvements
Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolf said in January that the Memphis Regional Megasite will need another $80 million to make it “shovel ready” for a larger user. Toyota and Mazda passed on the site since it was not fully served.

With vehicle sales declining slightly, why did Toyota and Mazda make quick work of another plant?
The Toyota-Mazda site search that ended up on a TVA certified megasite at a Huntsville-annexed site in Limestone County, Ala., was really, really. . .and I mean, really. . .on the fast track. From conception in the summer of 2017, the site search ended in Alabama in January 2018.

With vehicle sales down slightly to 17.1 million in 2017 from 17.5 million in 2016, why did Toyota and Mazda work so fast to locate the $1.6 billion plant in the Southern Auto Corridor? For one, Mazda will make an entirely new SUV at the Huntsville facility that will open in 2021, and we all know Americans love their SUVs. Mazda plans to assemble 150,000 of those SUVs at the Alabama plant.

The other factor is that Toyota is evolving its North American production capacity. The Japanese automaker ended production of the Corolla in Canada in order to make more RAV4 models, and decided not to assemble the sedan at a new plant in Guanajuato, Mexico that is still under construction. There, it will assemble a much needed vehicle, the Tacoma pickup truck. So, Toyota needed more Corolla capacity, which it will get with the North Alabama plant.

Corollas are also made 150 miles away from Huntsville at Toyota’s plant in Blue Springs, Miss. And, the engines for the Corolla are already being made at Toyota’s engine plant in Huntsville, just down the road from the new plant. So, everything was in place at the Alabama site for Toyota, and Mazda needed a partner to build the 4,000-employee, $1.6 billion plant to launch their new SUV for U.S. consumption.

Mercedes-Benz assembles 3 millionth vehicles in Alabama
Mercedes-Benz celebrated a milestone in the winter quarter. The German automaker assembled its 3 millionth vehicle in January, a diamond silver GLE 350 SUV. The company began production in 1997 at the Tuscaloosa County plant.

North Carolina megasite now at 1,900 acres
The Randolph County, N.C., megasite that reportedly came in second in the Toyota-Mazda site search has added about 140 acres. The Greensboro-Randolph Megasite Foundation now owns approximately 1,900 acres.

Kentucky to get $300 million plant
A division of an Indian conglomerate will invest about $300 million in an aluminum sheet factory just north of Clarksville, Tenn., in Guthrie, Ky. Novelis plans a 2020 opening for a new plant to prepare aluminum for use as automobile parts such as hoods, doors and fenders. Novelis plans to hire about 125 people.

Auto supplier investing $7.1 million In Alabama expansion
A German company that provides third-party logistics services to automotive manufacturers is expanding its operations in Tuscaloosa County. BLG Logistics is investing $7.1 million in an expansion of its plant in Vance, Ala., creating 43 new jobs in the process.

Spartan Light Metal Products expands Missouri plant
Spartan Light Metal Products, an advanced manufacturer of custom die cast aluminum and magnesium products for the automotive and consumer products markets, will expand into a new multi-million-dollar state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located 120 miles west of St. Louis, in Mexico, Mo. The expansion is expected to add more than 100 new jobs.

Innovative Vehicle Solutions expands South Carolina complex
Innovative Vehicle Solutions (IVS), a builder of custom commercial vehicles located in Ladson, is expanding its existing operations in Charleston County, S.C. The company’s $2.5 million investment is expected to create 108 new jobs. Launched in 2012, IVS is a commercial truck body builder and upfitter.

Groupe PSA chooses Georgia for new North American HQ
Groupe PSA, a French multinational manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles, will locate its new North American headquarters in Fulton County. With its five world-renowned car brands — Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Opel and Vauxhall Motors — Groupe PSA is one of the largest car manufacturers in the world, and the second largest in Europe.

Automotive supplier to create 150 new jobs in Upstate
Grupo Antolin, a designer and manufacturer of components for the automotive industry, said it plans to establish three facilities in Spartanburg County, S.C. The $50 million investment is expected to create more than 150 jobs over the course of five years.

Mickey Truck Bodies plans 50 jobs in North Carolina
Mickey Truck Bodies will expand the workforce at its High Point, N.C., operations for the second time in less than a year by creating up to 50 jobs. The family-owned company makes truck bodies and trailers and is adding the jobs during the first quarter to meet increased demand for delivery bodies and specially engineered vehicles.

Newcan moving to Pulaski, Va., creating 40 jobs
Newcan Corporation is moving its headquarters and main production facility from Holbrook, Mass., to Pulaski. The move will bring 40 new jobs and an investment of $4 million to Pulaski County. Newcan produces precision stampings and perforated components. . .a major supplier for the automotive industry.

Amthor International Expands in Gretna, Va.
Amthor International, the largest tanker truck manufacturer in North America, will invest $7.1 million to expand its manufacturing operation in Gretna. The company will build a plant to accommodate increased demand for fabricated tanker trucks, and will designate the new Gretna facility as its corporate headquarters. The company will retain 110 existing jobs and create 90 new jobs in Pittsylvania County.

Tristone Flowtech USA plans North Carolina manufacturing plant
Tristone Flowtech USA, a subsidiary of a German automotive supplier, will invest $23.6 million to locate its first manufacturing facility in the United States in Mooresville, N.C. The company plans to create 302 jobs in Iredell County to provide engine and battery cooling systems for the automotive industry.

Daesol Material Georgia creating 110 jobs in Harris County
Daesol Material Georgia has completed the construction of its new Harris County manufacturing facility, which will create 110 jobs. Daesol Material Georgia, a manufacturer of automotive fiber padding, invested $35 million in the construction and equipping of the facility.

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