WEB EXCLUSIVE
International Automotive Parts Manufacturer Expands Operations to U.S.
A vacant 138,000-square-foot former textile plant in Horry County, SC was recently been selected by a German company for its new U.S. manufacturing facility. The new owner, PWG USA, LP, recently acquired the 10-acre property on US Highway 501 in the Town of Aynor.
The parent company, PWG GmbH & Co. KG, based in Stockheim and operated by CEO Alfred Scholz, is an automotive supplier that manufactures precision aluminum and magnesium components for innovative use in cars, trucks, and SUV's produced in Europe, Mexico, and the U.S.
PWG manufactures and supplies sunroof and convertible top components to a multitude of national and international manufacturers including Audi, BMW, Daimler-Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Mercedes, Nissan, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen.
The company specializes in lightweight solutions that satisfy the new global challenges of the automotive industry. Their proprietary technology focuses on the efficient use of raw material and fuel resources as well as the preservation of natural resources.
The new plant in Aynor will create approximately 100 new jobs for highly qualified and motivated employees in the field of metal forming and metal milling. PWG utilizes the latest production machinery such as 5-axis CNC high performance milling machines and 3D bending machines.
"Anytime you can bring a hundred new jobs to one of our state's rural economies like Aynor, it's obviously tremendous news for a lot of folks at the local level," Governor Mark Sanford says. "South Carolina's obviously becoming a magnet for companies of all kinds in the automotive industry and our goal as an administration is going to be to continue encouraging that kind of strategic growth. That starts with income tax relief that will improve our underlying business climate."
PWG USA, LP will start production of high-tech, lightweight components for its customers in the US in May 2005. PWG has production facilities located in Neuhaus-Schierschnitz and a development and service center in Stockheim, Germany. PWG also has a technical development and sales office in Detroit, MI. Worldwide, PWG's 220 employees create an annual sales of $60 million.
"I am thrilled that a German company is going to invest here. I have been looking into sister cities in Germany to encourage future tourism and economic development. This fits perfectly into my goal of a long-term relationship between Horry County and Germany," stated Horry County Council Chairman Liz Gilland.
"I am very excited about this new partnership, having lived in Germany for a few years, I know that this is going to be a great opportunity. The company will be a valuable asset to the Aynor community, and the hardworking people of Aynor will be a great asset to the corporation," stated Horry County Councilman John Boyd.
The company manufactures parts for Chevrolet's new C6 Corvette, assembled in Kentucky; convertible tops for the VW Beetle; and will soon begin production of the sunroof for the 2007 BMW X5 model that is constructed at BMW's plant in Spartanburg, SC.
"We are tremendously excited about this company moving into Aynor. It is a great company that will support our community and bring badly needed jobs into this area," said Town of Aynor Mayor, John Dawsey.
PWG considered candidate sites in several other states before selecting the Aynor location.
"It's fantastic that PWG picked our little town. We have been needing someone to fill that building for sometime now," stated South Carolina State Representative Liston Barfield, "This company is environmentally friendly and will be beneficial to the entire community."
"PWG is an excellent addition to the Horry County economy. It represents the type of diversity we need and the kind of employment opportunities the community deserves." said PARTNERS Economic Development Corporation President, Joe Woodle, "This will give Aynor and Horry County international recognition and improve our access to similar companies looking to relocate to South Carolina."
"Horry County and the State of South Carolina offered everything we were looking for," said PWG USA General Manager, Michael Heller. "Aynor is a great place for our company to grow."
In addition to PARTNERS Economic Development Corporation, other key organizations that actively participated in the recruitment and site selection process include members of Horry County Council, the Town of Aynor, South Carolina Department of Commerce, South Carolina Jobs-Economic Development Authority, Prudential Burroughs and Chapin Real Estate, the South Carolina Employment Security Commission, The Center for Economic Development, Coastal Carolina University, The Center for Accelerated Technology Training (CATT), and a number of local elected and community leaders.
