German company bringing 230 jobs to Norwalk

jackson@sanduskyregister.comThe Germans are coming!Borgers USA Corporation announced Monday that it is building a new $60 million automotive components manufacturing plant at Firelands Industrial Park in Norwalk, bringing 230 new jobs to the area. Borgers USA is the U.S. subsidiary of Borgers AG.It's the biggest economic development announcement in Norwalk in years, said Ellen Heinz, executive director of Norwalk Economic Development Corp."This is the largest attraction project we've had in many years," Heinz said. "We're so overwhelmed with joy about the opportunities this project will bring."The jobs are expected to generate an $8.3 million payroll. The plant will be located on 27 acres. The state of Ohio approved a 55 percent, eight-year Job Creation Tax Credit for the project, said Matt Englehart, a spokesman for JobsOhio. In addition, JobsOhio provided assistance that will be publicly announced on the JobsOhio website once the final agreement is executed, Englehart said. Local partners also helped make the project a reality, Heinz said. JobsOhio said agency officials visited the company's headquarters in Bocholt, Germany, in November 2013. The company makes acoustic insulation material for the automotive industry, she said. The company says it makes components for nearly all of the major automotive manufacturers worldwide. The Borgers Group has 20 locations worldwide, including Europe, the U.S. and China. Werner Borgers, CEO and president of the family-owned German business, said the quality of the local workforce was an important factor in his company's decision."Norwalk is a great location regarding logistics as it relates to our Midwest customers and the labor force is exceptional and highly motivated. In addition to that we feel that there is a great emotional fit between the people in Norwalk and the values and characteristics of our family business. We are very excited about becoming part of the Norwalk community and we look forward to starting the project soon," said Borgers, a major shareholder in a business founded in 1866, in the company's official announcement. "This is great news for our community. The Borgers Company is a quality operation and we are ecstatic that they have chosen Norwalk for their new U.S. operation," said Norwalk Mayor Rob Duncan. "This has been a collaborative effort with our many partners from the state and JobsOhio, Team NEO, our own Norwalk Economic Development Corporation and Executive Director Ellen Heinz, as well as our administration and local community and business partners."Groundbreaking is planned for early August, with construction scheduled for completion in early 2015. Janotta & Herner of Monroeville will take the lead on construction. Borgers will begin job interviews later this year. More details on employment will be released later.Heinz said Borgers considered 60 sites in four states when it began its search.