The 400,000-square-foot facility, completed in just nine months, will eventually employ 500 people, the company said. It produces heavy duty truck axle assemblies.

“We are making a significant investment in our production capacity and our capabilities to support our customers’ needs,” said Carsten Reinhardt, ArvinMeritor Commercial Vehicle Systems president. “We have designed this facility – the first, all-new commercial axle manufacturing plant in 19 years – with a variety of breakthrough technologies, which will help establish ArvinMeritor with a world-class capability in gear-cutting and axle assembly. It will also provide a competitive edge by increasing our production capacity, enhancing the quality performance, and giving us greater flexibility in the manufacturing processes.”

Initially, the plant will produce bevel gearing and front non-drive steer axle assemblies for U.S. and Canadian truck makers, the company said. The components will also be shipped to U.S.-based ArvinMeritor assembly sites for aftermarket products. (Tire Review/Akron)