Reviewed by: Liv George
Nearly $100M aluminum forging operation to open in Auburn
ILJIN is a leader in the automotive industry for its bearings and chassis manufacturing and now, it is expanding its operation in Auburn.
Gov. Kay Ivey announced the company is investing nearly $100 million for a new facility in the city, employing around 160 people. ILJIN is hoping this facility can help it expand into the aluminum forging market.
Keep reading to find out more about the project.
ILJIN manufacturing
“ILJIN’s decision to locate its next facility in Auburn is great news for Alabama. Alabama is already the fifth largest vehicle producer in the U.S., and it’s wonderful to see how we are continuing to expand and deepen our automotive supplier base, creating lasting jobs throughout Alabama.”
~ Gov. Kay Ivey
ILJIN supplies control arms, stabilizer links, ball joints and other components to major auto manufacturers. The raw forgings manufactured in Auburn will be sent to the company’s facility in South Carolina for final processing.
In the past, ILJIN has used steel forging in its manufacturing processes but the new Auburn facility will expand the company’s capabilities, allowing it to begin producing forged aluminum control arms for several U.S. customers. The transition to aluminum hopes to produce stronger + lighter components for safe and more fuel-efficient vehicles.
This transition to aluminum will produce stronger and lighter components that result in safer, more reliable and more fuel-efficient vehicles.
“ILJIN first partnered with the state of Alabama 15 years ago when it opened its first North American wheel bearing facility in Phenix City. This is yet another success story that shows Alabama has all the ingredients for manufacturing companies to thrive in our great state.”
~ Ellen McNair, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce
Auburn Technology Park North
ILJIN will establish its new operation in an existing building in Auburn Technology Park North. It will join six other companies that already operate out of the business park including:
- Aptar CSP Technologies, Inc.
- K.C. Sol-Tech, Inc.
- Lotte Chemical Alabama Corporation
- Pyongsan America, Inc.
- SCA, Inc.
- YC Manufacturing, LLC
“We’re extremely grateful for the trust and investment by ILJIN in our community and the support of and partnership with the state of Alabama. We will continue to support and partner with ILJIN to ensure the company’s success here in Auburn. Thanks to our close collaboration with Auburn University and Southern Union State Community College, I am confident that ILJIN will find the talent it needs to run a sophisticated operation in our community.”
~ Auburn Mayor Ron Anders
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