GKN’s NC Facilities Get $179M Boost

By Laura Calugar

The GKN plant in Maiden County, N.C.

Charlotte, N.C.—British-based GKN Driveline recently announced its plans to expand operations at its five facilities in North Carolina. The company plans to add a total of 302 jobs and invest at least $179 million in Alamance, Catawba, Lee, Maiden and Person counties. GKN opened its first facility in North Carolina in 1978, and its various locations in the state currently employ more than 2,700 people. GKN Driveline’s expansion adds a total of 159 people at its facilities in Sanford, Mebane and Timberlake over five years, and 143 jobs in Maiden over four years.

GKN Driveline develops, builds and supplies an extensive range of automotive driveline technologies. The company is a unit of GKN PLC, a global engineering business based in Worcestershire, United Kingdom.

GKN Driveline’s expansions in Alamance, Lee and Person counties will be facilitated, in part, by a Job Development Investment Grant. GKN is eligible to receive up to $1.5 million in total reimbursements over 12 years. The company’s expansion in Catawba County, facilitated through a separate JDIG, makes GKN eligible to receive up to $1.6 million over 12 years. The state’s Economic Investment Committee approved both grants.

“GKN Driveline is a global leader in the automotive industry and our innovative all-wheel-drive and eDrive technologies position the company for growth in the coming years. North Carolina is an important part of our strategy, with strategically located facilities and an outstanding workforce. GKN Driveline is excited about our expansion and its positive impact on the state and local communities,” said Phil Swash, GKN Driveline’s CEO, in prepared remarks.

GKN Driveline’s expansion is supported by the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, the N.C. Department of Transportation, Alamance County, Catawba County, Lee County, Person County, the City of Mebane, the Town of Maiden, the Catawba County Economic Development Corporation, the Sanford Area Growth Alliance, Alamance Chamber and the Person County Economic Development Commission.

Image via Google Street View