GKN Driveline started construction on a more than $100 million expansion at its Newton, North Carolina, facility in Catawba County. The expansion announcement was previously made in April, 2014. The company estimates it will add more than 200 new jobs by the end of 2018.

The firm employs more than 700 people, supporting machining and assembly of high precision products for demanding AWD applications. The Newton expansion was made possible in part by an award from the state Job Development Investment Grant program, as voted by the state Economic Investment Committee. The JDIG grant funds will allow GKN Driveline to increase manufacturing floor space by more than 25 percent to accommodate anticipated increases in geared component production.

Robert Willig, President, GKN Driveline Americas, said, "This expansion is a win for the local economy here in Catawba County, as it strengthens the manufacturing sector. But, it's also a win for GKN Driveline and our customers as it will improve our ability to deliver high quality, innovative products in the auto industry."

GKN employs an additional 1,530 employees at companies in other counties across North Carolina, locations include: Conover, Roxboro, Mebane and Sanford.