Schaeffler, the German automotive supplier, has announced plans to invest over 230 million US dollars (around 212 million euros) in two sites in the state of Ohio by 2032, focusing on electric vehicle components. The company will construct a new production facility in Dover and expand its existing plant in Wooster. The Wooster facility specializes in electric transmission systems and serves as an innovation center for electric vehicles.
Construction of the new plant in Dover is set to begin in mid-2024, with completion expected in the third quarter of 2025. The facility will be an “advanced manufacturing space dedicated to electric mobility solutions for the automotive industry,” spanning over 12,000 square meters. Schaeffler plans to produce components and systems for electric vehicles, including electric axles for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles.
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“Our new plant will play a pivotal role in shaping our future in the Americas region,” said Marc McGrath, Schaeffler’s Regional CEO Americas. “Our new Dover, Ohio facility will feature state-of-the-art production processes so we can better serve our customers while also adopting sustainable practices.”
The decision to build in Dover was influenced by its strategic location with good infrastructure and proximity to customers, suppliers, and the existing Schaeffler site in Wooster.
Schaeffler is also exploring the potential benefits under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act for the Dover site, aiming to improve the domestic electric vehicle supply chain and local workforce skill sets. Additionally, the company is partnering with Ohio State University to establish a new research and development center for battery cells by 2025.
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Schaeffler currently operates 15 plants and five research and development sites in the Americas region, including locations in Ohio, South Carolina, Missouri, and Connecticut. The USA is considered a strategic growth market for the company.
The investments in the two Ohio sites are expected to create 650 additional jobs in the “mobility of the future” sector by 2032, with around 450 jobs at the Dover site and 200 in Wooster. The project is supported by the state of Ohio and JobsOhio, a state-owned company.
