German Automotive/Aerospace Supplier to Locate North American Headquarters in LaGrange

            ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that ae group ag of Germany, a supplier of assembly-ready high-pressure aluminum die casting parts and components for the international automotive and aerospace industries, has selected LaGrange, Georgia as the site of its first U.S. manufacturing operation and North American headquarters.  The new facility will bring a total of 300 new jobs and $50 million in investment to the state in the next five years.

“We are honored ae group has selected Georgia for its first site in North America ,” said Governor Sonny Perdue.  “Our state is unparalleled in its ability to offer comprehensive

logistics, a skilled workforce and a hospitable environment for industry.  We are confident all of these factors will contribute to ae group's ability to grow and thrive in Georgia .”

The company chose Georgia as its preferred location after a multi-state search.  It will initially invest $15 million in the new facility, for which it will construct a 200,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in the Jim Hamilton Industrial Park in LaGrange.  Up to 80 Georgians will be hired during the first year to work on a state-of-the-art high-pressure aluminum die casting line and a machining line, both of which employ a high level of automation and robotics.  Construction is slated to begin in August, and operations in early 2006.

“We are very impressed with Georgia 's favorable business environment and project management experience, as well as the Department of Economic Development's ability to fast-track this project,” said Rupert Frech of the ae group board of directors.  “The high quality of worker skills we found here, together with the Quick Start training program, really confirmed our feeling that Georgia offers by far the best opportunities for our company's future growth.”

“We're excited about this opportunity to expand international investment here in LaGrange and Troup County ,” said Bobby Carmichael, chairman of the Development Authority of LaGrange.  “We found ae group very compatible to work with and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship between the company and the community.”

Well-known for its technology-based solutions, ae group has more than 1,600 employees at seven locations in Germany , Austria and Poland .  The company's annual sales are $200 million, and customers include ZF, DaimlerChrysler, Porsche, VW, Audi, BMW, GM, American Standard Wabco, Siemens VDO, TRW, BorgWarner, LuK, ThyssenKrupp, Recaro Aircraft, Dräger Aerospace and Zeiss.  The company, which plans to expand its products to non-automotive fields, has studied the Southeast market and anticipates growth to $45 million in sales within a few years after start-up.