In conjunction with the Buncombe County Commission and the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County (EDC), BorgWarner has announced plans to invest $62.25 million in its Arden operations.
This investment will sustain the existing workforce while bringing additional high-wage jobs from other BorgWarner locations in the U.S. – including in part from its existing operation in nearby Fletcher.
The investments in the Buncombe County facility will add new technology and machinery as part of BorgWarner’s previously announced global restructuring efforts and will result in increased competitiveness of the local business as well as enhanced manufacturing and R&D capabilities in Arden. As a result, BorgWarner will employ more than 600 workers at its Arden campus. The new positions will include opportunities in production, logistics, operations, engineering, and management.
BorgWarner is a global technology leader in vehicle propulsion systems, developing leading technologies that improve fuel economy, emissions and performance. Its facilities are located across the globe in order to provide local support of its diverse customer base. The Buncombe County plant focuses on the design, development, and production of vehicle turbomachinery, thermal management and emissions control systems. This investment by BorgWarner announced today also enables the product development team located in Arden to continue its work to develop leading edge technologies for both battery and fuel cell electric vehicles. BorgWarner will continue to test these new products for electrified vehicles and work with its customers to bring these technologies to market alongside its existing product portfolio.
BorgWarner serves a variety of vehicle markets, including light vehicles, medium & heavy duty, off-highway, and aftermarket, manufacturing turbocharger technology used in vehicles ranging from passenger cars to ones driving in the NTT IndyCar series. The company services major auto manufacturers such as Ford and Toyota, among others, with low and high-volume assembly processes as well as notable industry innovations like the eBooster®, the eTurbo® and the eTurbocompound. In October 2020, BorgWarner announced the acquisition of Delphi Technologies, strengthening BorgWarner’s electronics and power electronics products, capabilities and scale, and positioning themselves as a leader in electrified propulsion systems that is well-positioned to take advantage of future propulsion migration.
The Arden site leadership attributes the consolidation into the Buncombe County facility to a competitive advantage of the Asheville workforce with demonstrated technical expertise in advanced automotive design and manufacturing.
“We are very pleased to continue expanding our operations in Asheville, North Carolina,” said Brian Leising, Plant General Manager. “This expansion is evidence of the confidence BorgWarner has in the outstanding workforce in Arden and their ability to compete in the global markets we serve.”
“BorgWarner has a proven track record of high-wage employment, and growth and expansion in Western North Carolina. We applaud the continued investment in technology, innovation and people at the Arden facility,” Chairman of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Brownie Newman said. “This investment strengthens the county’s tax base, helping fund the services and infrastructure critical to the quality of life in our community.”
“Investment in high-tech, advanced automotive manufacturing companies, like BorgWarner, is key to the sustained and diversified economic growth of Western North Carolina,” stated EDC Board Chair Michael Meguiar. “Our ability to support these industries will build a strong foundation for generations to come.”
Partners in the expansion include Buncombe County and the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County and the North Carolina Community College System.
For more information about the company, visit www.borgwarner.com.
Prepared by Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County.