Automotive supplier ZF (pronounced zedeff) Group is expanding its under-construction facility in Laurens. A little more than a year ago, the German company announced the initial $350 million investment and 900 jobs. Today the SC Commerce Department and the company announced another $80 million investment and 300 more jobs.
Company spokesman Bryan Johnson they will add another 147-thousand square feet to the facility. The company will get a state grant for $500,000 for site improvements and some training funds from readySC.
Johnson says their recently introduced eight-speed transmission and brand new nine-speed transmission technology are in demand with primary customer Chrysler because they improve fuel economy. That has been the catalyst for this new expansion.
“With the price of fuel getting higher, our customer Chrysler, their increased volume, they are doing well, which means the longterm potential for us to do well,” says Johnson.
Most of their customers for these transmissions have been high-end carmakers, including Rolls Royce, Audi and Land Rover.
Johnson says they are hiring in stages over the next two years, as the facility comes fully on line, which is scheduled for 2013.
