Plastics injection molder HEYCO-Werk USA will invest $12 Million to construct the facility in Gaston County.
RALEIGH, N.C.—HEYCO-Werk USA Inc., a plastics injection molder for the automotive industry, will invest more than $12.75 million to build a new state-of-the-art manufacturing site in Gaston County. The new venture is expected to create 34 new jobs in the county, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said in a news release from the North Carolina Department of Commerce.
Founded in 1937 in Remscheid, Germany by Max and Ernst Heynen, the HEYCO Group is a major supplier of products and engineering services in the area of metal and plastic processing technology. The company has eight sites worldwide with approximately 1,250 employees.
“HEYCO is another great addition to our growing auto manufacturing supply chain that will attract even more companies and jobs,” said Governor Cooper in a statement. “This project in Gaston County and others like it across our state confirm North Carolina’s dedication to a world class workforce, innovation, and access to global markets.”
HEYCO-Werk USA was established in 2014 and began manufacturing in Virginia in 2019. The company manufactures precision plastic molded parts for the automotive industry, including products for all BMW SUV models worldwide, as well as various industrial markets. The company’s expansion to a second location in North Carolina is expected to help meet the growing needs of BMW and other European car manufacturers in North America.
The new 10-acre site at Apple Creek Corporate Center offers room for future expansion and will include a 65,000-square-foot state-of-the-art production facility and showroom for high-end injection molding, according to the release.
“We are thrilled to expand our manufacturing footprint to North Carolina and join the close network of German-based manufacturers in the region,” said Daniel Dittmar, CEO and president of HEYCO-Werk USA, in the release. “The new plant will play an important strategic role within the HEYCO Group and to our customers. With this latest investment, we set an important milestone for the future of HEYCO, ensuring both strategic growth as a Tier 1 automotive supplier, and the long-term success of our company and our employees.
“HEYCO benefits from the central location that provides access to major hubs to our specialized supply chains and strong customer base,” Dittmar continued. “We are excited to invest in new technologies and to create high-quality manufacturing jobs in Gaston County.”
Salaries will vary by position, with an average annual wage of $63,382, exceeding the Gaston County average of $46,351. The new jobs could potentially create an annual payroll impact of more than $2.1 million for the region, the release said.
“With the largest manufacturing workforce in the southeastern United States, our state is the clear choice for companies like HEYCO,” said North Carolina Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders, in a statement. “North Carolina is home to more than 250 automotive manufacturing companies that benefit from our continued commitment to developing the talent they need for immediate hiring and future growth.”
A performance-based grant of $75,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help HEYCO establish its new production site. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and create jobs. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment.
All One NC grants require matching participation from local governments, and any award is contingent upon that condition being met. In addition, the company will receive significant financial support from the North Carolina Community College System, Commerce’s Division of Workforce Solutions, and Gaston County, according to the release.
“We are delighted to welcome HEYCO to our region,” said North Carolina Representative John Torbett, in the release. “Here, they will find the support of a diverse and talented workforce and the robust transportation infrastructure to help them quickly get their products around the world.”