Mercedes-Benz Vans marked today the groundbreaking of its new Sprinter plant for the North American market. Among the distinguished guests of the ceremony on-site were Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, and Nikki Haley, Governor of South Carolina.
With this new full-scale plant, Mercedes-Benz Vans will offer faster and more individualized supply to its customers. The new plant is an expansion of the existing van assembly site. It represents an investment of around 500 million U.S. dollars. Mercedes-Benz Vans will create up to 1,300 jobs. It is estimated that suppliers will create approximately 400 new jobs in and around North Charleston.
First the body shop of the new plant will be constructed, followed by the paint shop and the assembly lines later this year. Production of the next-generation Sprinter is planned to begin before the end of the decade.
Writing automotive history in South Carolina
“Today we are writing automotive history in South Carolina!” says Volker Mornhinweg, “The groundbreaking also marks an important milestone for our growth strategy, Mercedes-Benz Vans Goes Global. With our new plant we will continue with our success story in North America even more dynamically.”
“Today's groundbreaking, and the 1,300 jobs it means, will build on the successful partnership that our friends at Daimler and Mercedes-Benz Vans have enjoyed with our state for years,” says Nikki Haley. “We are proud to say that Mercedes-Benz vans will now be made in South Carolina.”
One of the most advanced automotive plants in North America
Frank Klein, Head of Operations Mercedes-Benz Vans: “Our new Sprinter plant is a big leap into the future of production at Mercedes-Benz Vans. We are combining all of our global expertise and experience in this plant. In doing so, we make it one of the most advanced facilities in North America. The plant will meet the highest standards in quality, based on our globally standardized production system — from the first vehicle that rolls off the assembly line.”
Mercedes-Benz Vans will implement its most innovative production technologies and concepts in the new plant. Focusing on connectivity like digital communications on the shop floor, it will be most agile and adaptive to respond fast to market changes and customer needs. The workforce will undergo comprehensive technical trainings to ensure a smooth and successful production ramp-up.
Construction and preparations right on schedule
Michael Balke, incoming CEO of Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC and Director of Production at the plant: “Construction and all necessary preparations are right on schedule. We have already begun to recruit and train a core team of employees in administration. We have also hired the first technical specialists. Applications of production job candidates will be accepted beginning mid-2017.”
