New Automotive Supplier to Create 650 Jobs in Tuscaloosa

MONTGOMERY – Governor Robert Bentley on Thursday announced that Samvardhana Motherson Group (SMG) plans to build a new $150 million automotive supplier plant in Tuscaloosa County. This new supplier will create 650 jobs.

The new 700,000 square feet facility in Tuscaloosa will produce painted bumpers, rocker panels, spoilers, interior door panels and other parts. This plant will supply Mercedes Benz U.S. International plant in Vance. The new venture will operate as SMP, a subsidiary of SMG and will be will be called – SMP Automotive Systems Alabama, Inc. SMP currently produces a variety of automotive products including: bumper covers, door panels, instrument panels, plastic body parts, consoles and other interior components.

“Alabama has a positive business climate and a skilled workforce that is second to none,” Governor Bentley said. “We have worked hard to recruit well-paying jobs for the people of this state, and I am honored to see SMG/SMP expand to Alabama. In coming years, the company will provide 650 new jobs and produce even more products that are ‘Made in Alabama’.”

“We would like to thank the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority and Alabama for all the support provided to our Group”, SMG Managing Director and Head of Corporate Office Europe and Americas Andreas Heuser said. “I can say, that we feel very welcome and at home here in Tuscaloosa.”

SMP has partnerships with vehicle manufacturers from around the world including: Daimler Mercedes-Benz, Audi, VW, Porsche, Renault/Nissan and Ford.

SMG has operations in 25 countries across the world. Its broad range of products are manufactured in more than 170 facilities and 24 design centers across the globe by over 70,000 qualified professionals.

The proposed site of the new auto supplier is located in east Tuscaloosa County. Construction will begin by the end of 2015.

“The Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority is pleased to welcome Samvardhana Motherson Group into our internationally-focused region and into one of the southern United States’ largest automotive clusters,” Executive Director of TCIDA Dara Longgrear said. “SMP will benefit from the Tuscaloosa region’s reliable labor force and be supported by a successful and continuously improving workforce development and training network. TCIDA looks forward to partnering with SMP as they continue to grow and prosper as a world leader in high quality interior and exterior automotive systems.”