German Automotive Supplier Opening $5 Million Plant

ept Automotive has leased 46,300 square feet of manufacturing space in River’s Bend in Chesterfield County for a new facility to produce electrical connectors for the automotive industry.

The facility, involving an estimated $5 million in investment, will open in October and is expected to create more than 50 jobs during the next three years.

ept (Electronic Precision Technology) automotive is a subsidiary of ept GmbH, Peiting, Germany, located about 60 miles southwest of Munich. A global supplier to the automotive industry for integrated solutions for electrical connection technology, the firm has more than 700 employees.

Willy Rau, president of ept america, was selected in February to establish the new production facility.

Thomas Guglhör, president of ept Automotive said, “We are very excited about our new production facility to be established in Chesterfield County. Virginia is perfectly located as a bridge between our parent company in Germany and our many automotive customers in the eastern half of the United States. The support we received from state, regional and local economic development officials goes back several years and helped make our decision a confident one.”

Mr. Rau added, “Chesterfield County offers a pool of experienced, skilled workers and managers that will contribute quickly to our mission. Having operated another business in Chesterfield for many years, I have great respect for Virginia’s business climate and the productivity of the local workforce.” Art Warren, Chairman of the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors said, “Chesterfield is proud to welcome ept to our growing list of international corporate citizens. We are particularly happy to have another prominent advanced manufacturing company in the international automotive industry.”

In addition to Chesterfield Economic Development; ept was assisted in the site selection process by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Virginia Jobs Investment Program and the Greater Richmond Partnership.

Contact:

Willy Rau, President, ept Automotive, 804-715-3045; Willy.Rau@eptusa.com

Will Davis, Director, Chesterfield Economic Development (804) 318-8550