GKN Driveline Moves Ahead with Expanded Distribution Center in Mebane, North Carolina

GKN Driveline, the global leader in automotive driveline technologies, officially unveiled plans to significantly expand its distribution center in Mebane North Carolina to better serve its manufacturing operations in Mebane, Sanford and Roxboro/Timberlake North Carolina.

The expanded facility will enable GKN Driveline to meet growing demand for its technology from automakers in the Americas. The distribution centre will focus primarily on GKN’s sideshaft and propshaft production, although GKN is also seeing rising demand for its all-wheel drive and electric drive systems across the Americas region. 

“GKN is expanding rapidly and to support that growth we need world-class engineering and distribution centers that can keep pace with the needs of our valued global customers,” said Robert Willig, President, GKN Driveline Americas. “This expanded facility and its state-of-the-art equipment and systems will play an instrumental role in the success of our global supply chain system.”

The $6.3 million investment will result in a 134,000 square-foot state-of-the-art distribution center and will create approximately 13 jobs with an average salary of $55,000 anually.  An additional 13 positions will potentially be transferred to the area.

“GKN has always been a great partner with Mebane and the entire Alamance County area,” said David Cheek, Mebane city manager. “It has invested more than $40 million in the area over the last five or six years. But, it is not just that. It’s GKN’s involvement and commitment to the community that is really making a difference. We are very excited this global organisation is growing here and that they continue to call Mebane home.”

Construction on the expanded facility will begin during the fourth quarter of 2015 and will be complete by the beginning of 2016.

GKN Driveline has been located in Mebane since 1980. Since 2011, GKN has created approximately 170 jobs and invested $47.3 million in the 70-acre property.

ABOUT GKN

GKN plc is a global engineering group. It has four divisions; GKN Aerospace, GKN Driveline, GKN Powder Metallurgy and GKN Land Systems, which operate in the aerospace, automotive and land systems markets. More than 50,000 people work in GKN companies and joint ventures in more than 30 countries. GKN is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: GKN) and recorded sales of GBP7.5 billion in the year to 31 December 2014.

ABOUT GKN DRIVELINE

GKN Driveline is the world’s leading supplier of automotive driveline components and systems. As a global company serving the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers, GKN Driveline develops, builds and supplies an extensive range of automotive driveline components – for use in the smallest ultra low-cost car to the most sophisticated premium vehicle demanding the most complex driving dynamicsGKN Driveline is a leading global producer of CVJ Systems, AWD Systems, Trans Axle Solutions and eDrive Systems and operates in 22 countries at 46 locations employing approximately 26,500 people.