Schefenacker Announces Marysville's Expansion

MARYSVILLE, Mich., July 18 -- Schefenacker Vision Systems, USA, Inc. is expanding its manufacturing operations here with the addition of a 33,000-square-foot production and distribution center for "past model service" mirrors.

The project is being announced by Schefenacker in cooperation with the Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County, the City of Marysville, Star Holdings and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).

Schefenacker, a leading global supplier of advanced technology exterior and interior automotive mirrors and lighting systems, expects to create 75-100 new jobs and invest approximately $12 million in new machinery and equipment in the expansion effort.

Past model service mirrors to be produced at the facility are service replacement mirrors for vehicles that are no longer in production. Once produced, the replacement mirrors will be placed in unitized protective packaging and sold to Schefenacker's automotive customers, who supply them as original equipment service components.

The facility, located at 150 Gratiot Boulevard, is in addition to Schefenacker's Marysville manufacturing center, one of the largest employers in St. Clair County, providing more than 750 jobs.

The project was located in Marysville rather than a competing site at another Schefenacker facility with the help of incentives provided by MEDC and a 12-year property tax abatement on the renovated facility.

The past model service facility is being renovated by Star Holdings.

"We're pleased with the opportunity to expand our operations here in Marysville," said Philip H. Warburton, managing director of Schefenacker's Marysville manufacturing center. "Our existing plant has an excellent record for quality and on-time delivery due largely to the skills and dedication of the area work force and we look forward to continuing that tradition with this newest addition to our operations."

Schefenacker Vision Systems is the leading global supplier of high- quality, advanced technology exterior and interior mirror systems, and a supplier of rear and signal lighting systems for automobiles worldwide. It is part of Schefenacker AG, a world leader in automotive mirror systems, lighting systems and audio systems with operations in Australia, England, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Japan, Korea, Slovenia, Spain, and the USA.