Fehrer Automotive North America LLC announces expansion in Spartanburg County
August 3, 2011
$14 million investment expected to create 130 new jobs
SPARTANBURG, SC – August 3, 2011 – Gov.Nikki Haley, the South Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic FuturesGroup of Spartanburg County announced that Fehrer Automotive NorthAmerica LLC will expand its production operations to a site in SpartanburgCounty. The company expects to make a capital investment exceeding $14 millionand to generate 130 new jobs over the next five years.
“Fehrer Automotive is very excited to partner with state and countyagencies and its advisors on this project. The Duncan site is a good fitand allows us to position ourselves for future business opportunities,”said company spokeswoman Robin Mathis. “We are excited to become part ofthe Spartanburg County business community and look forward to continued growth,as well as our ability to add additional jobs in the local community.”
Fehrer Automotive’s strategic successes over the last several years haveresulted in the company outgrowing its current 80,000 square feet of combinedmanufacturing and warehouse facilities in Fountain Inn, South Carolina. The newDuncan site has 100,000 square feet with room to expand.
“Fehrer Automotive has been part of the South Carolina’s businesscommunity for several years and we are excited to see the company expand itspresence here with a $14 million investment and 130 new jobs. We love when newcompanies come to South Carolina, but it’s a celebration when the ones wealready have expand,” said Gov. Nikki Haley.
Automotive continues to be a leading sector in South Carolina. Commerce hasbeen involved in recruiting more than $2 billion in investment and more than9,800 jobs since the beginning of 2008.
“Our state’s standing in the automotive club continues to grow.When a company like Fehrer chooses to expand in South Carolina, it not onlyindicates the vigor of our automotive sector, but the strength of ourstate’s business climate as well,” said Bobby Hitt, Secretary ofCommerce.
“We are extremely pleased that Fehrer Automotive has chosen SpartanburgCounty to expand its production operations. We appreciate the efforts ofour economic development team, public and private, in securing this business venturein Spartanburg County. We welcome them to our business community and wish themmuch success,” said David Britt, chairman of Economic RecruitmentCommittee of Spartanburg County Council and member of the Economic FuturesGroup Board.
Lewis F. Gossett, president and CEO of the South Carolina ManufacturersAlliance added that Fehrer Automotive’s investment is another strongendorsement of South Carolina’s growing international leadership role inthe automotive industry. “Fehrer is a world class company that has ahistory of doing business in our state, and with this investment, Fehrerexpressed not only satisfaction with its South Carolina experience but alsoconfidence in its ability to continue to be successful here.”
The company plans to begin hiring for the new positions in September. Anyoneinterested in job opportunities with the company can send a resume to RobinMathis, Human Resources, Fehrer Automotive North America LLC, 385 South WoodsDrive, Fountain Inn, S.C. 29644.
The state will provide job development credits approved by the CoordinatingCouncil for Economic Development when the company reaches its hiringcommitments. The county is providing a Fee-in-Lieu-of-Taxes agreement andspecial source revenue credits.
Fehrer Automotive North America
Fehrer Automotive North America is a subsidiary of F.S. Fehrer Automotive GmbH.Fehrer is an international developer and series supplier for the automobileindustry. The product range comprises moulded seat pads for car seats, armrests, centre consoles, side bolsters, headrests and inner trim panels as wellas structural parts for cars. Founded in 1875 in Kitzingen, Germany thefamily-owned enterprise has 22 production facilities in countries like Germany,Czech Republic, Hungary, United States, South Africa, India and China today.For more information on the company, please visit www.fehrer.com.
