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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Columbus automotive manufacturer announces multimillion dollar expansion, creating 131 new jobs
COLUMBUS, Ind. (May 20, 2015) – Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies (FECT), a global
manufacturer of automotive emissions control systems with North American headquarters based in
Columbus, Indiana, announced plans today to expand its operations here with a new production facility.
The plan will create up to 131 new jobs.
“Indiana’s robust manufacturing sector is one of the key drivers of our economy,” said Governor Mike
Pence. “To help this sector succeed in our state, we’ve worked hard to build a business-friendly
environment, which includes the best workforce a company can have. Faurecia’s decision to expand here
in Indiana confirms the value our state offers businesses and reinforces the Hoosier State’s status as an
automotive manufacturing leader.”
Faurecia will invest $61 million to equip an approximately 400,000-square-foot manufacturing facility
adjacent to the company’s existing Research and Development (R&D) Center. The company will allocate
another $11.8 million to lease the state-of-the-art building, which will be used to produce a new line of
emissions control systems for the automotive sector. Set on 36 acres of land purchased from the
Columbus Board of Aviation, Faurecia expects to break ground on the new facility later this year.
The company, which currently employs 1,635 Hoosiers between its manufacturing and R&D Center
operations in Columbus, plans to begin hiring for a variety of engineering and production positions in
2017.
“Faurecia is a proud member of the Columbus community and we’re pleased to expand our already
significant presence in the area with this new facility and new opportunities for local jobseekers,” said
Dave DeGraaf, president of FECT in North America. “While we considered several other communities for
this new operation, our decision to continue to grow in Columbus is a direct result of both the quality of
the skilled workforce here and the important considerations we’ve received from the state and city
governments.”
The FECT Business Group is the global market leader for light and commercial vehicles, offering
advanced solutions for emissions control as well as acoustic treatment, weight reduction and exhaust
heat recovery. FECT recognizes the importance of meeting environmental standards and has responded
to the public’s growing concerns with a comprehensive product portfolio, including Catalytic converters,
emissions control systems, mufflers, manifolds and complete exhaust systems.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies up to
$1,500,000 in conditional tax credits based on the company’s job creation plans. These tax credits are
performance-based, which means until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives.
In addition, the IEDC will provide the city of Columbus with up to $250,000 in infrastructure assistance
from the state’s Industrial Development Grant Fund.
"The new facility planned by Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies will provide substantial
employment opportunities for our community and reaffirms that the City of Columbus is a strong partner in
helping local businesses grow,” said Columbus Mayor Kristen Brown. “We greatly appreciate Faurecia’s
continued investment in our city.”
The Columbus City Council approved the transfer and sale of Columbus Airport land to the company at
the request of the Columbus Board of Aviation Commissioners, and with the support of the Columbus
Economic Development Board, the Council also approved a 10-year tax phase-in for the initial $30 million
facility investment and $61 million equipment investment.
“Columbus, Indiana, is very proud to be home to Faurecia’s North American R&D Center for Emissions
Control Technologies as well as their local production operations,” said Tim Shuffett, Columbus City
Council president. “I am sure I speak for all of the Council members in saying that we are exceptionally
happy to support this expansion.”
“Faurecia’s investment will serve as a catalyst for even greater things to come to the surrounding area,”
added Jason Hester, executive director of the Columbus Economic Development Board. “We are
tremendously grateful to the company for choosing Columbus, Indiana, for this project.”
About Faurecia
Faurecia is the world’s sixth-largest automotive supplier, with four Business Groups: Automotive Seating, Emissions
Control Technologies, Interior Systems and Automotive Exteriors. In 2014, the Group posted sales of $25 billion. As
of December 31, 2014, Faurecia employed 99,500 people in 34 countries at 330 sites and 30 R&D centers. Faurecia
is listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris stock exchange and trades in the U.S. over-the-counter (OTC) market.
In North America, Faurecia had sales of $6.2 billion in 2014. It employs more than 20,000 people at 47 locations in
the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Connect with Faurecia North America at www.facebook.com/faureciaNA and www.twitter.com/faureciaNA.
About IEDC
The IEDC oversees programs enacted by the General Assembly including tax credits, workforce training grants and
public infrastructure assistance. All tax credits are performance-based. Therefore, companies must first invest in
Indiana through job creation or capital investment before incentives are paid. A company who does not meet its full
projections only receives a percentage of the incentives proportional to its actual investment. For more information
about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.
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Media Contacts:
Tony Sapienza (Faurecia) – 248.484.3185 or [email protected]
Abby Gras (IEDC) – 317.232.8845 or [email protected]