DRÄXLMAIER to expand Duncan facility

Duncan, S.C. / Frankfurt (Germany), Sept. 21, 2015 – The DRÄXLMAIER Group will invest a total of $35 million through 2016 for upgrades to its facility at 1751 East Main Street in Duncan, S.C.

The investment will include the addition of a 184,000 sq. foot (16,560 sq. meter) production and logistics building to the existing facility, as well as upgrades to the plant infrastructure and equipment. The expansion alone is expected to create 94 new jobs.

"Our plant in Duncan plays an important strategic role for our global production network and for our customers right here in the Americas," said Barbara Bergmeier, head of Production and Logistics for the DRÄXLMAIER Group. "Our company has been in the Upstate of South Carolina for almost 20 years, and we plan to strengthen our ties even further in the near future."  

Barbara Bergmeier informed South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and members of the South Carolina Trade Delegation about the supplier's expansion plans during a meeting today on the sidelines of the Frankfurt auto show, IAA, in Frankfurt, Germany.

"The expansion shows that we are committed to a steady growth in this region," Barbara Bergmeier said. "The well-trained and highly-skilled workforce in South Carolina will help us to develop and manufacture high-quality products for our customers in the Americas and around the world."

The new addition to the already existing building will significantly increase the plant’s capacity and house state-of-the-art equipment for the assembly of vehicle interiors and components, including instrument panels, center consoles and door panels, as well as warehouse space, social areas and a new cafeteria. Construction is expected to begin this November and to be completed by September 2016.

"We want to achieve a sustainable growth," said Ulrich Eichler, senior president and COO for DRÄXLMAIER in the Americas. "This investment will allow us to further enhance our competences as well as our customer and product portfolio in the region."

A Tier I supplier to the international automotive industry, DRÄXLMAIER manufactures interiors for premium automobiles and plastic components at its Duncan site. Opened in 1998, the facility has been expanded three times since then, the last time in 2011 when a new production wing was added to the existing building. Since then, DRÄXLMAIER has created more than 350 new jobs at its sole U.S. manufacturing site, which currently employs more than 1,000 skilled workers and professionals.

"South Carolina offers us an excellent business environment, a talented work force and exceptional market access," said Stefan Bude, senior president and CFO for DRÄXLMAIER in the Americas. "We appreciate all the support we have received from state and local officials."

In addition to its Duncan location, DRÄXLMAIER also maintains logistics hubs in California and Tennessee, and an engineering office in California.