Governor Bentley Welcomes New Expansion at Mercedes-Benz

Governor Bentley participates in Wednesday’s groundbreaking at the new MBUSI Logistics Hub.

Also pictured, from left to right, are Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield,

MBUSI President & CEO Markus Schaefer and Chairman & CEO Billy Harbert

of BL Harbert International Construction.

Approximately 600 employees will work from new logistics hub

TUSCALOOSA COUNTY – Governor Robert Bentley on Wednesday joined executives from Mercedes-Benz U.S. International to break ground on a $70 million expansion at the MBUSI campus in Tuscaloosa County.

The construction of the MBUSI Logistics Hub will lead to more new jobs from MBUSI as well as its contractors and service providers. In all, approximately 600 employees will work from the new facility.

“This latest expansion means several things,” Governor Bentley said. “First, it means more good jobs for the people of Alabama. Also, it means the automotive industry continues to grow in this state. It shows the confidence that companies have in our workforce and in the positive business climate we’ve created in Alabama. This year marks 20 years since Mercedes-Benz first announced it was coming to Tuscaloosa County. Our partnership with Mercedes-Benz is stronger today than ever before.”

Currently, MBUSI employs roughly 3,000 people at its Tuscaloosa plant. The facility produces M-Class, GL-Class and R-Class SUVs and will soon produce the next-generation C-Class sedan. A fifth model will join the production line in 2015.

The new, on-site MBUSI Logistics Hub will help streamline logistics operations and will support the receiving, handling and sequencing of parts for the vehicles produced at MBUSI. The logistics facility is expected to be complete later this year.

“With the addition of two new products and ongoing high demand for our current vehicles, our logistics operations are becoming increasingly more complex,” said Markus Schaefer, President and CEO of MBUSI. “Within this building, both MBUSI and its service providers will do much of the preparation and logistical work necessary to keep our production operations moving smoothly.”

Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield joined Governor Bentley and Markus Schaefer for Wednesday’s groundbreaking.

“Mercedes continues to demonstrate a dedication to quality and innovation in the assembly of its automobiles,” Secretary Canfield said. “This logistics hub is a clear signal of the Mercedes-Benz commitment to establish stronger links between its assembly teams and the production process itself. The continued growth of Mercedes-Benz is a positive message of confidence in the team of employees in Vance and the best proof of success when products are ‘Made in Alabama.’”