Tognum America Inc., an American subsidiary of Tognum AG and a leader for propulsion and power solutions announced plans to expand its Research and Development Center at the MTU Aiken County plant. The $22.5 million investment is expected to generate 10 new jobs, and will double the center’s development capacity with the addition of two new test cells for off-highway diesel engines.
“The expansion of our MTU Aiken Plant is part of our global growth strategy to invest in our plants and in R&D,” said Tognum CEO Dr. Ulrich Dohle. “In the medium term, the plant expansion enables us to prepare for the planned volume growth.”
The investment follows Tognum’s initial commitment of $40 million to build the Research and Development Center, which officially opened in April. The company’s ongoing plans to increase its footprint in North America have resulted in an overall investment of approximately $100 million in Aiken County since 2010. The company also maintains facilities and offices throughout the U.S., and is in the midst of an international plant expansion program.
“Our continued growth and success at the MTU Aiken Plant is the result of our strong partnership with Aiken County and the state of South Carolina,” said Joerg Klisch, vice president of North American operations, Tognum America Inc. “This new expansion project will enable us to enhance our engine development capabilities and will result in the completion of one of the most advanced diesel engine development facilities in North America.”
The Research and Development Center at the MTU Aiken Plant features advanced technologies that aid in the design of cleaner, more efficient and more powerful versions of the MTU Series 2000 and Series 4000 off-highway diesel engines. Construction of the new engine test cells is scheduled to begin next month. It is anticipated that the project will be completed by March, 2015.
“Today’s announcement shows Tognum’s commitment to South Carolina, and we celebrate the $22.5 million investment and the new jobs created in Aiken County. We know we are on the right track with economic development when existing businesses like Tognum are successful in our state and grow their footprint here,” said Gov. Nikki Haley.
Since January 2011, South Carolina has recruited more than $9 billion in capital investment and more than 26,000 jobs in the manufacturing sector.
“Tognum’s expansion proves that South Carolinians know how to make quality and advanced products that are used around the globe. The MTU research and development center not only provides a boost to Aiken County’s manufacturing base, but also solidifies South Carolina’s place in the nation’s manufacturing renaissance,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.
“We are very appreciative of this latest announcement by Tognum. They have quickly demonstrated that they are committed to manufacturing and R & D in Aiken County,” said Aiken County Council Chairman Ronnie Young. “They have far exceeded their original commitment to us and I am very happy to have them call Aiken County home.”
“This has been exciting to watch the MTU Aiken Plant’s continued growth in Aiken County,” said Gary Stooksbury, chairman of the board of The Economic Development Partnership of Aiken and Edgefield Counties. “It looks like a strong partnership between the company and the county has developed. We are grateful for today’s news and look forward to MTU Aiken’s continued growth and prosperity.”
For more information about open positions at Tognum America, visit www.tognumamericacareers.com.
About S.C. Department of Commerce
As South Carolina’s leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing businesses grow. Commerce has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as Boeing, Bridgestone, Continental, Monster.com, Heinz, ZF Group, BMW and Google Inc. and also supports small and existing business, rural development initiatives and community development. Commerce partners with the S.C. Technical College System via readySC to support workforce training and recruiting, and with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, which provides worker training and employment opportunities within the state. South Carolina has been ranked first in attracting jobs through foreign investment by IBM-Plant Location International. The state won the Gold Shovel Award and the Project of Year Award from Area Development magazine in 2012. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.
About Tognum
With its two business units, Engines & Propulsion and Onsite Energy, the Tognum Group is one of the world’s leading suppliers of engines and propulsion systems for off-highway applications and of distributed power generation systems. The product portfolio of the Engines & Propulsion business unit comprises MTU engines and propulsion systems for ships, for heavy land, rail and defense vehicles and for the oil and gas industry. The Onsite Energy business unit supplies distributed power generation systems carrying the MTU Onsite Energy brand. Tognum’s product portfolio also features medium-speed engines built by Bergen Engines and fuel-injection systems built by L’Orange. In 2012, Tognum generated revenue of €3.015 billion and employed over 10,000 people. Tognum has a global manufacturing, distribution and service structure with 31 fully consolidated companies, more than 140 sales partners and over 500 authorized dealerships at approximately 1,200 locations. Since mid-March 2013, Tognum AG has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rolls-Royce Power Systems Holding GmbH, a joint venture of Daimler AG and Rolls-Royce Group plc.