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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

ZF Plans $22.5 Million Expansion In Gray Court, South Carolina

08/12/2015
ZF, a Germany-based global supplier of driveline and chassis technology, as well as active and passive safety technology, is expanding its transmission manufacturing operations with the addition of new manufacturing and warehouse space in Laurens County, South Carolina. The company is investing $22.5 million in the expansion and creating 545 new jobs in Gray Court over the next five years.

With an annual capacity of 1.2 million transmissions, ZF Transmissions Gray Court is the manufacturing site of the 8-speed automatic transmission, as well as the world’s first 9-speed automatic transmission. The company last announced an expansion of this facility in 2013, a $175 million project that brought ZF’s Laurens County employment total to more than 1,600.

To accommodate this latest expansion, the company has purchased an existing building located in the Owings Industrial Park, situated less than two miles from Interstate 385. The 150,000-square-foot facility will house manufacturing and warehousing operations, allowing ZF to increase its current capacity. Generating 545 new positions, the expansion is expected to increase the company’s Laurens County workforce to more than 2,000.

As an incentive, the Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved a $1.2 million Set Aside grant to Laurens County to assist with the costs of land acquisition. The Council has also approved job development credits related to the project.

“Laurens County and South Carolina continue to provide a strong home for ZF’s manufacturing of our 8- and 9-speed transmissions. We appreciate the continued support of the local and state governments, and all of our partners in providing a healthy environment for ZF’s continued growth,” said ZF Transmissions Gray Court Vice President Thomas Joos.

“It’s another great day for the manufacturing industry in South Carolina as we congratulate ZF Group on its latest expansion in the Palmetto State. This $22.5 million investment and the 545 new jobs it will create will have a major impact on Laurens County and our entire state, providing real opportunities for the people of South Carolina,” said Governor Nikki Haley.

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