JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (Feb. 5, 2014) – Autoneum has chosen Southern Indiana to expand its North American presence to 13 plants, including joint ventures, with a new location in Jeffersonville, Ind., One Southern Indiana (1si) announced today.
The Swiss-based Autoneum is a global technology leader in acoustic and thermal management solutions for automobiles with locations in Europe, Asia, North America and South America. The new location is expected to create some 220 new jobs and begin production in 2015.
The 300,000-s.f. manufacturing and distribution facility, to be constructed by regional developer Crossdock Development Inc., will be erected at River Ridge Commerce Center. It will create the first presence of a Tier 1 supplier, a direct supplier to OEMs, within River Ridge’s complex.
“Indiana has established itself around the world as the location of choice for businesses to invest and create jobs,” said Gov. Mike Pence. “Our competitive tax climate, strong workforce and unmatched infrastructure help global companies like Autoneum continue to recognize Indiana as a state that works for business.”
The expansion of Autoneum’s production capacity in order to meet increasing customer demands “is further evidence that our lightweight acoustic and thermal management products are indeed valued by our customers, the automobile manufacturers,” said Autoneum CEO Martin Hirzel.
Jeffersonville was selected because of logistics for its customer base, the local labor force and infrastructure availability as well as the outstanding working relationship developed with One Southern Indiana, local officials and the state of Indiana. It is the 99th economic development announcement for 1si since the organization’s creation in July 2006.
“This project is a major triumph for Southern Indiana and a good example of the resurgence of the automotive industry,” said Wendy Dant Chesser, president and CEO of 1si. “Autoneum is precisely the type of long-term, job-creating employer we want to attract to our area.”
The region’s strengths and its appeal to a global company are being touted by local officials as well.