JTEKT Corporation doubles size of manufacturing facility in Richland County, South Carolina

JTEKT Corporation, a leading producer of bearings,automotive steering systems and all-wheel drive couplings, has expanded itsKoyo-brand bearing manufacturing facility in Richland County, South Carolina.The 250,000 square-foot expansion will provide JTEKT with needed capacity tomanufacture automotive wheel bearing hubs for its growing U.S. customer baseand is expected to create 175 new jobs in the next three years. In addition toa $130 million investment by JTEKT, the project was made possible with supportfrom Gov. Nikki Haley, the state of South Carolina, Richland County and thecity of Blythewood.

“This investment demonstrates JTEKT’s commitment tothe North American auto industry as well as the community and citizens of RichlandCounty,” said Hiroyuki Kaijima, CEO, JTEKT North America. “We arethankful to Gov. Haley and the government municipalities for theircollaboration and dedication to help us make this expansion a reality.”

The expansion, the second for this facility, will doubleits size to more than 500,000 square feet to accommodate the growing businessvolume of Koyo wheel bearing hubs. Customers are incorporating Koyo’s advancedtechnologies of superior bearing sealing capability, stiffness, weight savingsand efficiency.  These benefits result inKoyo hubs being the preferred solution of automakers for next generationvehicles.

Currently the facility, which opened in 1995, employs 225people. In addition to the Richland County location, JTEKT has eight otherbearing manufacturing plants in North America with all North Americanoperations employing more than 5,400 people.

“This expansion is a testament to the quality anddedication of our team and the trust placed in us by our customers,”stated Ken Hopkins, COO, JTEKT North America. “We are excited about ourcurrent growth in automotive and industrial markets and look forward tocontinued opportunities where Koyo quality, capabilities and innovation arevalued.”

About JTEKT

JTEKT is a leading global supplier of automotive steeringsystems, automotive all-wheel drive couplings, Torsen brand differentials, Koyobrand automotive and industrial bearings and TOYODA machine tools that improveefficiency and performance in a variety of applications. With global headquartersin Nagoya, Japan, JTEKT employs more than 43,000 people in 27 countries andreported sales of $12.6 billion in 2013. In North America, JTEKT employs over5,400 people with 14 manufacturing facilities and numerous technical centersand distribution facilities across North America. For more information, pleasevisit www.jtekt.co.jp/e/