MTU AIKEN PLANT NAMED 2014 SOUTH CAROLINA MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR

• South Carolina Chamber of Commerce honors off-highway diesel engine manufacturer for its contributions to local community, economy and environment

GRANITEVILLE, S.C., U.S.A. – The MTU Aiken Plant, which produces world-class diesel engines and components, has been named South Carolina Chamber of Commerce‘s 2014 Small/Medium Manufacturer of the Year. The facility is operated by MTU America Inc. The mtu brand is part of Rolls-Royce Power Systems within the Marine and Industrial Power Systems division of Rolls-Royce.

The award was presented during the inaugural Palmetto Vision Awards Gala held on 18 September at the Marriott Columbia. This prestigious recognition – presented by the nation’s first state chamber Accredited with Distinction by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce – is the most comprehensive statewide manufacturing award in the nation. mtu America was one of hundreds of companies nominated from across the Palmetto state.

Jens Baumeister, director of operations at mtu America, accepted the award.

“This award is a result of the hard work and diligence of our employees, who constantly strive for manufacturing excellence while also supporting their community,” said Baumeister. “While this is an incredible honor, we have much more to achieve as we continue to grow and work to be a model for businesses throughout the state.”

The MTU Aiken Plant, located in Graniteville, S.C., manufactures the company’s Series 2000 and 4000 off-highway diesel engines. Last April, the company completed the construction of a $40 million, 19,300-square-foot research and development center on its campus that includes two cells for the testing of new diesel engines up to 4,500 kW (6,000 bhp) while simulating a wide variety of applications, load demands and environmental conditions. Immediately following the completion of the R&D center, mtu America announced an additional $22.5 million expansion project, which generated new jobs and doubled the center’s development capacity. To date, mtu has invested approximately $100 million at its Graniteville facility, where it currently employs 300 people. The plant also serves as a hands-on learning hub for local high school students through its award-winning apprenticeship program, based on similar training programs in Germany, which was created in conjunction with The Aiken County School District and Aiken Technical College.

The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce’s Manufacturer of the Year awards program recognizes companies that strive for manufacturing excellence, have a positive economic impact, remain committed to workforce development and are outstanding community stewards.

For more information on the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce’s Manufacturer of the Year awards program, visit http://www.scchamber.net/events/applicationsandrecognition.aspx.