DRÄXLMAIER expanding Spartanburg County operations

September 16, 2015

Company investing $35 million to expand its existing Spartanburg County manufacturing facility

The DRÄXLMAIER Group, one of the world’s top automotive suppliers, is expanding its existing manufacturing operations in Spartanburg County. The company is investing more than $35 million in the project, creating 94 new jobs in Duncan, S.C. over the next five years.

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 houses a workforce of approximately 1,000 people.

In an effort to facilitate growth in new customer contracts and to meet increased customer demand, DRÄXLMAIER is expanding the facility by constructing an 184,000-square-foot production and logistics building, as well as making upgrades to plant infrastructure and equipment. Located at 1751 East Main Street in Duncan, S.C., the expanded facility will allow DRÄXLMAIER to consolidate a number of processes from off-site locales to a more centralized location.

With the expansion project expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2016, the company is already accepting applications for some of the new positions. Those interested in joining the DRÄXLMAIER team should visit the company’s careers page online. For more information on the DRÄXLMAIER Group, visit www.draexlmaier.us.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved a $500,000 Set Aside grant to Spartanburg County to assist with the costs of real property improvements related to the project.

QUOTES

“Our plant in Duncan plays an important strategic role for our global production network and for our customers right here in the Americas. 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.The expansion shows that we are committed to a steady growth in this region. 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.” – Barbara Bergmeier, board member and head of Production and Logistics for the DRÄXLMAIER Group

“We want to achieve a sustainable growth. This investment will allow us to further enhance our competences as well as our customer and product portfolio in the region.” –Ulrich Eichler, president of Operations for DRÄXLMAIER in the Americas

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

“In South Carolina, we make things, and we make them well. From airplanes to tires to automobiles, our highly-skilled workforce continues to attract industry from around the globe, and today’s announcement by Draexlmaier is proof of that. This $35 million expansion and the 94 new jobs it will create is a huge win for the people of our Upstate community, and I know that they’ll continue to produce first-class products at this facility for many years to come.”– Gov. Nikki Haley

“With a booming automotive sector, the Palmetto State’s advanced manufacturing industry continues to thrive, and today’s announcement is a testament to that. As a top supplier to the auto industry, the expansion of Draexlmaier’s Spartanburg County facility is further proof that South Carolina is ‘Just right’ for advanced manufacturing.” –Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt

“Draexlmaier has been a model corporate citizen over their two decade history in Spartanburg County and they are a great example how successful a premier company can be when they dedicate themselves to the community in which they work, live, and play. As their North American Headquarters, Spartanburg is a better place because of Draexlmaier’s commitment and we appreciate their continued confidence with this latest expansion.” –David Britt, chairman of the Economic Recruitment and Development Committee of Spartanburg County and member of the Economic Futures Group Board

FIVE FAST FACTS

• The DRÄXLMAIER Group is expanding its Spartanburg County operations.
• $35 million investment creating 94 new jobs over the next five years.
• Established in 1958, the DRÄXLMAIER Group is headquartered in Vilsbiburg, Germany.
• DRÄXLMAIER is expanding its existing Spartanburg County facility, which is located at 1751 East Main Street in Duncan.
• Those interested in joining the DRÄXLMAIER team should visit the company’s careers page online. 

About the DRÄXLMAIER Group

The DRÄXLMAIER Group is an international automotive supplier with more than 60 sites in over 20 countries. Headquartered in Germany, the company currently employs more than 55,000 people throughout the world.

The inventor of the customer-specific wiring harness, the DRÄXLMAIER Group today stands for pioneering technologies in alternative drive systems, as well as in electrical and electronic components. Among these are multi-voltage and high-voltage wiring harness systems, as well as HV battery systems. As the market leader for interior systems for premium automobiles, the DRÄXLMAIER Group supplies automobile manufacturers with center consoles, door and instrument panels, as well as complete door and cockpit modules. In 2014, the DRÄXLMAIER Group achieved sales of $4.65 billion.

Customers of the top 100 automotive supplier include Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Jaguar, Land Rover, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Tesla and Volkswagen. For more information, visit www.draexlmaier.us.