The Draxlmaier Group (Vilsbiburg, Germany), a global Tier 1 automotive supplier, is investing more than $35 million to expand its existing manufacturing operations in Duncan, SC. Draxlmaier manufactures interiors and plastic components for vehicles at its Duncan site. The facility opened in 1998 and has undergone three expansions since that time, including a new production wing that was added to the existing building in 2011, according to the South Carolina Department of Commerce.

Draxlmaier created more than 350 new jobs after the 2011 expansion at its sole U.S. manufacturing site, and it is expected that an additional 94 jobs will be created by this expansion, bringing the total workforce to approximately 1,000 people. The latest expansion will include the construction of a 184,000-square-foot production and logistics building, as well as upgrades to plant infrastructure and equipment. This will allow Draxlmaier to consolidate a number of processes from off-site locales to a more centralized location.

"Our plant in Duncan plays an important strategic role for our global production network and for our customers right here in the Americas," said Barbara Bergmeier, board member and Head of Production and Logistics for the Draxlmaier Group. "Our company has been in upstate South Carolina for almost 20 years, and we plan to strengthen our ties even further in the near future. The expansion shows that we are committed to steady growth in this region."

Bobby Hitt, Secretary of Commerce for the State of South Carolina, commented, "With a booming automotive sector, the Palmetto State's advanced manufacturing industry continues to thrive, and the announcement is a testament to that. As a top supplier to the auto industry, the expansion of Draxlmaier's Spartanburg County facility is further proof that South Carolina is 'just right' for advanced manufacturing."

As the inventor of the customer-specific harness, the Draxlmaier Group continues pioneering technologies in alternative drive systems, as well as in electrical and electronic components. Among these are multi-voltage and high-voltage wiring harness systems, as well as HV battery systems. The company is also a global supplier of interior systems for premium automobiles, as well as a manufacturer of center consoles, door and instrument panels and complete door and cockpit modules, the company said. In 2014, the Draxlmaier Group achieved sales of $4.65 billion. The group's customers include Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Jaguar, Land Rover, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Tesla and Volkswagen.