ElringKlinger expands Easley plant for EV innovation

 

Thomas Jessulat believes the future has a place for old and new.

As the CEO of ElringKlinger, he is at the helm of the world’s leading manufacturer of the head gaskets that seal internal combustion engines around the globe. He was in Easley on Oct. 29 to celebrate a plant expansion to serve the future — EV manufacturing market.

“When we look into the automotive markets, we see different technologies … the technologies are different in the various regions of the world,” Jessulat said. “Every technology has its merit and no technology will completely disappear in our opinion. Every technology has its place.”

ErlingKlinger in June 2024 announced plans for a $40.3 million investment in a site at the old speedway property in Easley that would set up a 226,000-square-foot facility to employ 115 workers. The announcement this week followed Pickens County Council action that cleared the way for an expansion project that will bring the company’s commitment to the site to $68.5 million and 294 new jobs.

“Today’s meeting gives the greenlight for the expansion of our plant,” Jessulat said. “Our sophisticated products in combustion engine technology represents also the backbone of this project here. … We have developed new applications for products in the area of e-mobility and this is exactly what our innovation in Easley stands for. We, in South Carolina, were able to focus on the future of mobility in Easley, our new e-mobility hub for the American market.”

Located at 317 Grand National Lane in Easley, ElringKlinger plans to expand its production of cell contact systems for a major global premium car manufacturer, while also increasing output of lightweight components for electric vehicles and other new projects. Operations are expected to be online in the first quarter of 2027.

Jessulat said the 140-year-old German company will continue to develop and manufacture products for every segment of the automotive market.

“The forecast is that electric vehicles will play just as important a role as hydrogen vehicles  and internal combustion engines will continue to be in demand for a long time,” he said.

The company’s total commitment to the Easley site came in three parts and totals $135 million. Eventually employment could eventually reach 410, Pickens County Council Chairman Alex Saitta said.

“The expansion of the plant in Easley, S.C., is another milestone for ElringKlinger in the implementation of our SHAPE30 transformation strategy,” Jessulat said in a news release from the South Carolina Department of Commerce. “Thanks to the distinguished characteristics of the state of South Carolina, Pickens County offers excellent opportunities for establishing and further developing future technologies for the automotive industry in the U.S. Based on large-scale production orders already secured, we will ramp-up and expand the production of innovative battery and lightweight components.”

Saitta said ElringKlinger said he wants the moms and dads of Pickens County to know the employer they’ve always wanted for their children has arrived, offerings jobs for everyone from production workers to Ph.D.s.

The site’s general manager is Wilfried Hoch.

Ray Farley, executive director of Alliance Pickens, represented the county in recruiting the company and working out many of the details in a deal to secure their spot at Speedway Industrial & Technology Park. Speedway Industrial & Technology Park is being developed by RealtyLink LLC. ElringKlinger and Carolina Handling committed to the park in the same week in June 2024. Both are already operating.

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