Global automotive supplier Visteon Corporation has begun building a manufacturing and assembly facility in Eureka, Missouri, that will initially supply a nearby Chrysler vehicle plant.
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The plant is expected to begin production in the summer of 2008 and employ about 200 people by early 2009.
Visteon officially launched the project this week in a ceremony at the plant site in Eureka Commercial Park, about 20 miles southwest of St. Louis. The plant initially will supply door panels, consoles and cockpits to Chrysler’s St. Louis North assembly plant.
Visteon president and chief operating officer Donald Stebbins said the new plant supports the supplier’s three-year plan to restructure, improve base operations and grow the business.
“Our significant business growth requires us to add strategic manufacturing capacity, and we’re pleased to be creating new jobs in Missouri,” Stebbins said. “This project demonstrates the confidence our customers are placing in Visteon to meet their quality, delivery and cost requirements for vehicle systems.”
The new Missouri facility will use innovative manufacturing processes designed to deliver interior products for in-sequence, just-in-time installation in vehicles. Products and production processes are designed to reduce tooling costs, cycle time and scrap, while promoting ‘recyclability’.
Julie Fream, vice president of Visteon’s North America customer groups, noted the efforts of state, regional and local officials in helping her company select the site. The supplier received property tax abatements, payroll tax incentives and training grants for the new facility.
“Business growth is a key component of Visteon’s improvement plan,” she added. “Through the commitment of our employees and the cooperation of state and local governments, this will be a cost-competitive manufacturing operation that will effectively serve our customers, while creating opportunities for our employees and the local community.”
