Drive Automotive Industries of America expanding facility in Greenville County
September 28, 2012
GREENVILLE, SC – September 28, 2012 – The Greenville Area Development Corporation and South Carolina Department of Commerce today announced that Drive Automotive Industries of America will expand its existing facility in Greenville County. The $50 million investment is expected to generate 60 new jobs.
We celebrate Drive Automotive’s decision to invest $50 million and create 60 new jobs. South Carolina continues to show that it is the right place to do business. Announcements like this one show we are doing the right things to help companies prosper and grow, said Gov. Nikki Haley.
Drive Automotive Industries of America, a manufacturing division of Cosma International, which is an operating unit of Magna International Inc., will expand its manufacturing facility located on Moon Acres Road in Piedmont. The expansion will add approximately 150,000 square feet to the size of the existing facility.
Given the competitive nature of obtaining funding for projects, we at the Drive facility are very appreciative of the support of Greenville County Council and the Governor’s Office, said Craig Lane, general manager of Drive Automotive. We truly believe it is a win for everyone.
Drive Automotive manufactures automotive body panels and assembles body systems using state-of-the-art equipment such as multi-ton hydraulic presses and advanced robotic systems. This expansion will support a growing customer base among the major automotive and heavy truck manufacturers.
Since January 2011, South Carolina has recruited more than $4.4 billion in capital investment and more than 6,800 jobs in the automotive-related sector.
We continue to build on our success in the automotive club. Drive Automotive’s announcement is another indication that South Carolina’s automotive industry, and manufacturing sector as a whole, continues to create wealth and new jobs, said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.
Drive Automotive began production at its Greenville facility in 1994. The expansion is expected to be complete by the third quarter of 2013.
Greenville County is committed to reducing unemployment and increasing per capita income in Greenville County, and Drive Automotive is a good example of a good quality employer with innovative business practices that fits nicely into our local economy, said H.G. Butch Kirven, director of the Greenville Area Development Corporation and chairman of Greenville County Council. We are very pleased that Drive Automotive has selected Greenville for this important new investment and business expansion.
Drive Automotive’s expansion is a vote of confidence in the competitiveness, quality and depth of the Upstate’s workforce when it comes to world-class manufacturing, said Hal Johnson, president and CEO of the Upstate SC Alliance.
The company will begin hiring for the new positions in 2014. Anyone interested in job opportunities with the company can watch for job postings on the Magna website at www.magna.com/careers.
About the Greenville Area Development Corporation
The Greenville Area Development Corporation is a non-profit organization established by Greenville County Council to promote and enhance the economic growth and development of Greenville County. Since its founding in 2001, GADC efforts have resulted in the creation of more than 15,000 new jobs and more than $2.6 billion in capital investment in Greenville County, SC. To learn more, visit www.goGADC.com or call (864) 235-2008.
