Swiss-Based REHAU To Open Research And Development Facility In Cullman, Alabama
11/07/2013
The firm’s Alabama Technical Center will serve as the training and conferencing center for its business divisions in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The $2.5 million, 20,000-square-foot technical center will employ 140 associates in Cullman within five years of operation.
The new R&D center will be built on property adjacent to the manufacturing plant which produces bumper assemblies for Mercedes-Benz. Founded in Rehau, Germany and now headquartered in Muri, Switzerland, REHAU began production in Cullman in 1995 and was the first Tier-1 supplier to follow Mercedes-Benz to Alabama. The company now boasts more than 700 employees in the Alabama facility encompassing more than 750,000 square feet.
“With these continuous developments, REHAU secures its technological advancement within the marketplace and eventually its ability to provide jobs at locations worldwide,” said Reiner Leifhelm, CFO of REHAU Automotive and a member of the REHAU Automotive Executive Board.
Initial plans call for the new Cullman facility to house a robotic teaching cell supporting the paint application process that is independent of the production paint line. A small prototype shop will allow design engineers to work on future automotive products right next to the workstations.
Engineers will be housed in the world-class facility with optimized working conditions for the development of part design integrated with production processes. REHAU also will construct a showroom for the company’s products and production capabilities.
The company’s other technical centers are located in the German cities of Rehau and Feuchtwangen. REHAU produces more than 40,000 polymer-based solutions used in construction, automotive and other industries.
“This new investment by REHAU will mean more good jobs for the people of Alabama,” Gov. Robert Bentley said. “REHAU already has a significant presence in Cullman County, and the company’s continued growth is a testament to the dedicated, skilled workforce and the positive business climate we have in this state. I appreciate REHAU’s continued investment in Alabama.”
Alabama Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield said,“having a high-tech company like REHAU choose Alabama for a U.S.-based research and development facility means new products will be born here in Alabama, which will lead to further growth of industry in our state.”
Project Announcements
AESC Expands Florence, South Carolina, Operations
03/28/2024
Alticor Expands Ada Township, Michigan, Operations
03/27/2024
Eastman Plans Longview, Texas, Production Operations
03/27/2024
DHL Supply Chain-Vantage Data Centers NV11 Plan Nevada Operations
03/26/2024
Big Jet Expands Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Operations
03/26/2024
Landmark Ceramics UST Expands Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee, Operations
03/25/2024
Most Read
-
2023's Leading Metro Locations: Hotspots of Economic Growth
Q4 2023
-
2023 Top States for Doing Business Meet the Needs of Site Selectors
Q3 2023
-
The Logistics Analysis That Drives Industrial Site Selection
Q4 2023
-
Manufacturing Momentum Is Building
Q1 2024
-
Technology’s Influence on Workforce Development
Workforce Q4 2023
-
37th Annual Corporate Survey: Economic Pressures Exerting Greatest Effect on Decision-Makers
Q1 2023
-
Industry in the Era of the Electron
Q1 2024