Borgwarner reinvesting in Buncombe County

March 3, 2021

Arden, N.C. – In conjunction with the Buncombe County Commission and the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County (EDC), BorgWarner announced today 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.

Picture Caption: BorgWarner President and Chief Executive Officer, Frederic Lissalde presented the Borg-Warner Trophy® to the winner of the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500, Simon Pagenaud, in 2019.  NTT IndyCar Series® racecars have been exclusively boosted by BorgWarner’s Engineered for Racing (EFR™) turbochargers since 2012 and manufactured at the BorgWarner facility in Arden, NC.

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. https://www.borgwarner.com

The EDC for Asheville-Buncombe County is a public-private partnership committed to creating and retaining high quality jobs, community leadership, and being a resource for better business decisions.  The EDC accomplishes this mission through its four core services: business retention and expansion, small business and entrepreneurship, research, and marketing and recruitment.  The EDC is funded by Buncombe County, the City of Asheville, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, and the AVL 5×5 Campaign.

For more than 120 years, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce has been the catalyst for economic vitality in our community. The Asheville Chamber connects 1,700 member organizations, both large and small, representing more than 80,000 employees, to valuable resources such as economic development and research, business education, marketing opportunities and advocacy. Asheville Chamber initiatives have stimulated economic development, influenced public policy and supported the growth of thousands of local and regional businesses. Learn more at ashevillechamber.org.

BorgWarner Inc. (NYSE: BWA) is a global product leader in clean and efficient technology solutions for combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles. Building on its original equipment expertise, BorgWarner also brings market leading product and service solutions to the global aftermarket. With manufacturing and technical facilities in 96 locations in 24 countries, the company employs approximately 50,000 worldwide. For more information, please visit borgwarner.com.

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