RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that Teleflex Automotive will expand its automotive parts manufacturing facility in Russell County’s Town of Lebanon. Through a $2.9 million investment, the company will create 75 new jobs. Virginia successfully competed with Ohio, China, and Mexico for the project.
The announcement is one of four automotive expansions that Governor Warner unveiled today, totaling more than 400 new jobs and $58 million in capital investment across the state. The Commonwealth’s automotive and automotive parts manufacturing facilities employ more than 25,000 Virginians. Governor Warner – an active supporter of the industry – traveled to the Detroit area earlier this year to meet with automotive executives at the Automotive News World Congress. In June, Governor Warner joined Ford Motor Company Chairman and CEO Bill Ford, Jr. at the company’s 100th Anniversary Celebration launching the new F-150 at the Norfolk Assembly Plant.
“Teleflex is a valuable corporate citizen, employing more than 200 Virginians,” said Governor Warner. “It’s great news that they decided to reinvest in Southwest Virginia, bringing more much-needed jobs to Russell County.”
Teleflex Automotive Group, headquartered in Troy, Michigan, is a leading Tier One global supplier of custom engineered cable controls, electronic throttle controls, driver control mechanisms and transmission shift control systems to the automotive industry. The company is part of Teleflex Incorporated, the Philadelphia-based diversified industrial manufacturing firm with sales exceeding $1.9 billion annually. In addition to automotive products, Teleflex Inc. also designs, manufactures and distributes a broad range of products and services to the aerospace, recreational marine, industrial and medical markets worldwide.
“For the past 15 years, we have enjoyed a great business climate in Lebanon that has been mutually beneficial to the people of Russell County and to Teleflex Automotive,” said Dick Westfall, Teleflex Automotive Vice President of Manufacturing, North American Operations.
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Russell County and the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority assisted Teleflex Automotive with its decision to expand. The company qualifies for a Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit, a statutory incentive available to all qualifying companies. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide workforce training services.
“Teleflex’s expansion comes at a very good time for Russell County,” said Frank W. Horton, Chairman of the Russell County Board of Supervisors. “Although the county has been impacted by the national economic slowdown, we have enjoyed a good economic development year. Jobs in our county mean community survival for our workforce and our youth. Special thanks go to the state, Teleflex, and most importantly the plant workers and management. Teleflex was our first automotive company and its expansion complements an already significant contribution as a major Russell County employer.”