ThyssenKrupp Bilstein, which makes shock absorbers for vehicles, is halfway through its latest expansion first announced in 2014. Plans called for Bilstein to make an approximately $26 million investment including a total 60,000-square-foot building addition to add more space on the cramped factory floor. Most of the investment was to be spent on new equipment, including more advanced and almost all customized machinery, President and Chief Executive Officer Fabian Schmahl previously told the Journal-News.
Also as part of the expansion and in exchange for tax breaks, the company committed to creating at least 200 new jobs by the end of 2017.
When the Journal-News checked in with the growing manufacturer last October, the company had completed the first phase of the two-phase expansion project and was expected to start production by the end of 2015 on its newest shock absorber technology for automaker customers, Schmahl said.
The expansion announced in 2014 was the Hamilton-based company’s third expansion announcement since 2011 and its largest one yet.
Current employment has grown to about 680 people in Hamilton on Bilstein Boulevard, Lindsey Stanfill, associate human resources manager, said. Hiring continues, she said.
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