Eberspaecher North America is expanding into Kentucky. Pictured here is a worker with an emission control product at the company’s Saltillo, Mexico plant.
Eberspaecher North America Inc. is creating 214 jobs with a $34.4 million investment in a new Louisville, Kentucky, operation.
The systems developer and supplier of exhaust technology, thermal management systems and automotive electronics will occupy more than 125,000 square feet of an existing 314,500-square-foot facility in Louisville Riverport to serve its expanded customer base in the U.S.
“Our state’s automotive sector is one of our greatest strengths,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “The addition of a proven company like Eberspaecher North America helps solidify the industry even further and positions the commonwealth for significant growth in the years ahead.”
The new facility will allow the company to focus on environmental protection, safety and comfort across its products, which include exhaust emission conversion technologies and acoustic systems for passenger vehicles, designed to improve air quality and sustainably reduce traffic noise.
Work on the facility is to begin in May and should be completed in August.
“We are very proud to continue our growth path with a new facility in Louisville,” said Thomas Waldhier, COO of exhaust technology at Eberspaecher Group. “We are excited to kick off a great partnership with the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the City of Louisville, and we are looking forward to expanding our workforce and serving our customers with high-quality products.”
To encourage the investment and job growth, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority approved a 10-year incentive agreement with the company under the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based agreement will provide up to $4 million in tax incentives based on the company’s investment of $34.4 million and creating 214 full-time jobs over 10 years, paying an average hourly wage of $25 including benefits. By meeting its annual targets over the agreement term, the company is eligible to keep a portion of the new tax revenue it generates. In addition, Eberspaecher can receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives through the Kentucky Skills Network.
Eberspaecher North America was founded in 1973 in Michigan and is a subsidiary of Germany-based Eberspaecher Group. Once the Kentucky plant is operational, Eberspaecher will have seven locations in the U.S. and 81 locations worldwide.
