Hella Good Move: New Plant Opens

PLYMOUTH, Mich.--Hella North America will begin production of automotive headlamps in 2002 at a new $20 million plant in York, S.C.

The York facility is one of only a few plants in North America to produce fully recyclable headlamps for the automotive market.

“Our state-of-the-art York plant will be Hella’s most advanced headlamp facility,” said Jason Bonin, vice president of lighting technology at Hella Lighting Corp. “The plant will manufacture all of the components necessary for headlamps and fog lamps on the premises. It demonstrates our commitment to being a full-service lighting supplier in the U.S.”

Annual headlamp production at the York facility is expected to reach 1.5 million units. The plant eventually will employ more than 100 people, handling orders totaling more than $100 million per year.

The facility's production line, still in its start-up phase, is currently launching its first OEM lighting program for DaimlerChrysler and also is assembling various lighting components for Hella’s aftermarket business.

“The decision to build this 120,000 square foot plant south of Charlotte, N.C., resulted from an intensive search,” said Joe Brase, controller of Hella’s Lighting Division. “We chose York because of its dedicated work force, attractive surroundings and highly favorable business climate for manufacturers, suppliers and employees alike.”

Hella is a tier one supplier of lighting, electronic equipment, sensors and complete vehicle front-end modules to the auto industry. Hella North America and its parent company, Hella KG Hueck & Co., have 22,000 employees at more than 30 production locations in 16 countries throughout the world. Worldwide consolidated sales for Hella during the company’s 1999-2000 fiscal year grew to more than $2.4 billion.

For more information, contact www.hella.de and www.hellana.com.