International aluminum casting company Alupress is expanding in South Carolina

LAURENS, S.C. - April 7, 2014 - PRLog -- Laurens, S.C. – The Italian-German casting company ALUPRESS is investing $19.9 million to expand its manufacturing facility in Laurens, SC. The investment is expected to generate 57 new jobs in addition to the 75 existing jobs.

With a surface area of 30,000 square feet, the casting plant in Laurens will have space for three melting furnaces and six casting cells built to Alupress standards. The total area will also allow the company to construct a further hall of identical dimensions, thus boosting the capacity of the locations to 14 casting cells with a closing force of up to 1,000 tons.

“We are pleased with the opportunity to move forward with plans to locate our new production facility in Laurens County. The new plant will give us close proximity to our customers. South Carolina provides us with an excellent business environment and the sort of workforce talent we need. We appreciate all the support we’ve received from state and local officials,” said Wolfgang Knollseisen, chief financial officer of Alupress AG.

Most importantly, Alupress is transferring several specialists from its manufacturing headquarters in Brixen, Italy, to train U.S. workers.

Since the beginning of October 2013, Manfred Amort, previously at Alupress AG in Italy, has been Production Director at Laurens. In addition to his role as Production Director, Manfred Amort is also responsible for the start-up of the casting plant.

Now that the aluminum foundry is almost completed, the newest specialist to be transferred from Alupress AG is Oliver Kerschbaumer, a Product Specialist who ensures compliance of the manufacturing process with the Alupress “Product Development Process” (PEP). Mr. Kerschbaumer has been with Alupress AG since August 2012 after receiving his Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

According to the ALUPRESS manufacturing practices, the “Product Development Process” is the step following the Acquisition of the Manufacturing/Product Order, followed by the Manufacturing Process. The “Product Development Process” includes all tasks from the Project Receipt to the Transfer to the Project to Serial Production.

Mr. Kerschbaumer’s assignments include the implementation of the PEP process at the Laurens facility, as well as to train U.S. workers to guide the manufacturing process according to the Alupress PEP.

“It’s always exciting to see another international company choose to set up shop in the Palmetto State. This announcement is also another win for one of our state’s rural areas. We celebrate Alupress’ decision to invest $19.9 million and create 57 new jobs in Laurens County,” said Gov. Nikki Haley in a separate statement.

“South Carolina’s automotive sector continues to be a strong contributor to our economy and a force in our state’s manufacturing renaissance. When companies like Alupress AG locate operations here, it not only creates new jobs but also increases our reputation in the automotive club,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt in a separate statement.

“We are extremely pleased to see our existing industry grow. Alupress is another example of industry realizing success in a rural county,” said Laurens County Council Jim Coleman in a separate statement.