(DOVER, Ohio)— Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik announced today that Schaeffler, a pioneering force in the field of motion technology, will build a new production facility in Dover, Ohio, bringing 450 jobs and $27 million in associated payroll for Tuscarawas County.
“Ohio has always been home to the leading edge of automotive technology, and today’s announcement is further proof that Ohio will continue to dominate in this field,” said Governor DeWine. “Schaeffler is already established in Ohio, and we welcome their decision to expand here to support our growing and thriving electric vehicle ecosystem.
Schaeffler, which currently operates a manufacturing facility in Wooster, Ohio, is a global manufacturer of high-precision components and systems for engines and transmissions. Schaeffler’s new plant in Dover will manufacture electric beam axles and electric drivetrain systems to support the hybrid/EV industry. The state-of-the-art plant in Dover will offer various employee amenities and developmental opportunities.
“This is an exciting milestone for Schaeffler, as we look forward to strengthening our presence in Ohio and prepare for the significant transformational growth ahead. Wooster, Ohio serves as our largest location in the Americas region encompassing a vertically integrated manufacturing facility, training, and product development centers. Similar to Wooster, the City of Dover offers a supportive community and an industrious workforce. The Wooster and the Dover teams will work closely together to strengthen our competitive advantage, as we continue to pioneer motion,” said Marc McGrath, Chief Executive Officer of Schaeffler Americas.
The mayor of the city of Dover, Shane Gunnoe, commented on the impact of this historic investment on his constituents, “Based on the information supplied by the company, we expect approximately 450 quality jobs created over two phases, millions of dollars invested in new construction, and significant new tax revenue for the community,” Gunnoe said. “Bringing a global manufacturer here producing e-mobility components for vehicles will provide high-wage, high-skill jobs to residents of Dover and the surrounding area,” said Mayor Shane Gunnoe. “Schaeffler’s investment in the City of Dover represents a generational opportunity. We are proud to welcome the company to the community and are confident they will achieve the success they are seeking at this new location.”
State Senator Al Landis and Tuscarawas County Commissioner Chris Abbuhl spoke about how widespread this impact will be felt.
“As a Dover resident and your State Senator, I am happy to support this project at home and in Columbus. The capital investment and jobs from this project will help the economy of not only Tuscarawas County but the entire State of Ohio,” said Landis. Commissioner Chris Abbuhl added, "By embracing this deal, we are not just powering vehicles; we are energizing the heartbeat of the villages and townships. This initiative will touch our education system and supply chains, fostering a brighter future for every corner of our county."
Schaeffler USA Division provides components for drivetrains in automotive, aerospace, and wind energy applications. The Wooster location is home to R&D and manufacturing for Schaeffler’s automotive operations. Key customers include Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis. Schaeffler is widely respected for its innovative approach to partnering with education and providing state-of-the-art apprenticeship and internship programs at its Ohio locations. Local educators are celebrating the opportunity to bring that here.
Karie McCrate, Superintendent of Dover City Schools, elaborated on the generational impacts ahead, “Engineering and advanced manufacturing continue to bring the next wave of technology jobs to the economy. Having Schaeffler in Dover will help provide additional opportunities for our students as they look toward the future. We are excited to partner with Schaeffler and further expand our talent pool for advanced manufacturing in Tuscarawas County.”
Bob Alsept, Superintendent of the Buckeye Career Center, spoke about the impact this will have on some of their current programs, "Our students at Buckeye Career Center will have wonderful opportunities to utilize their skills. Schaeffler invests heavily in their apprenticeships, internships, and employee onboarding. Their presence will be a boost to our community and region!"
Dr. Bradley A. Bielski, Dean of Kent State Tuscarawas, commented on the potential to expand higher education programs available locally, “Kent State Tuscarawas has invested considerable resources and time in creating engineering and manufacturing programs. We have worked hard to provide local companies with specialized credit and non-credit programs useful to their bottom line. We look forward to collaborating closely with Schaeffler to create a talent pipeline that fills their needs.”
To support Schaeffler’s commitment to bring 450 new jobs to Dover, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority approved a Job Creation Tax Credit for the project. Schaeffler has also committed to retaining 1,622 current jobs and making over $230 million in total fixed-asset investments across Wayne and Tuscarawas Counties. The Economic Development Finance Alliance of Tuscarawas County, in cooperation with the City of Dover and local schools, has also put together an incentive package for land utilizing tax incremental financing (TIF).
Dr. Sarah Andreas, chair of the Board of the Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation (TCEDC), a 501(c)3 that partners with the Economic Development and Finance Alliance of Tuscarawas County (EDFA), stated, “Schaeffler was looking at several other competing locations. We are proud of the team of partners we assembled and the job they did presenting our community in the best light possible during their site selection process,” said Dr. Andreas. “The announcement of the Schaeffler facility aligns with TCEDC's goal of developing and marketing business sites around the county for economic prosperity. We are thrilled with this news.”
EDFA, an Ohio Port Authority, provides services and information to commercial businesses and builders. Jon Elsasser, chair of the EDFA Board, shared his thoughts on the Schaeffler decision, adding, “With an innovative economic development approach and partnership with the State of Ohio, through all phases of this project, our team worked diligently to secure a transformative incentive package for the community,” Elsasser said. “The success of this project and its ongoing operation will require many partners which will benefit local businesses, from manufacturing, housing, restaurants, hotels, construction contractors, and more." He finished, "For years, it will positively impact the local economy, the entire county, and the region.”
TCEDC Executive Director Marla Akridge commented on how rare this project is and the amount of teamwork required by state and local partners, “The Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation and Economic Development and Finance Alliance thank all the partners and team members that worked on this project and, above all, express appreciation to Schaeffler for selecting a location in the city of Dover in Tuscarawas County,” said Akridge. “Rural economic development is difficult; deals like this don’t happen often; without the help of utility providers, Team NEO, JobsOhio, Ohio Department of Development, and ODOT, this project would not have happened in Tuscarawas County.”
Schaeffler's parent company is headquartered in Germany and operates in approximately 200 locations and 50 countries. Schaeffler’s decision to expand in Ohio reflects JobsOhio’s dedication to attracting foreign direct investment from competitive companies worldwide. Since 2011, JobsOhio and its partners have completed over 600 international corporate projects involving $18 billion in capital investment and over 45,000 jobs. The impact of Schaeffler’s plans will help bolster local economic development in Tuscarawas County for decades into the future.
Contacts:
City of Dover
Shane N Gunnoe
Mayor
110 E. 3rd Street
Dover, Ohio 44622
330-343-6726 (office)
330-243-6726 (cell)
TCEDC/EDFA
Marla Akridge
Executive Director
330-691-5355
John Kelly
Business Development & Administration
330-432-3855
James C. Shively
Business Development Director
330-401-3623
jcshively@tuscedc.com
About TCEDC
Tuscarawas County Economic Development Corporation is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing economic development in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. TCEDC collaborates with local partners, businesses, and communities to create opportunities and improve the quality of life for residents.
Location of Schaeffler Project
Parcel No’s: 1503850000 & 1400094000
Latitude/Longitude: 40.5600, -81.4971
