CLARIOS EXPANDING SOUTH CAROLINA MANUFACTURING OF COMPONENTS FOR AGM BATTERIES CRITICAL TO POWERING ADVANCED, COMPLEX VEHICLE SYSTEMS
Clarios, producer of one in three of the world’s car batteries, broke ground today on a $16 million expansion of its manufacturing plant in Oconee County, South Carolina.
Pictured from left to right: Jorge Martins, Clarios plant manager; Mark Hammond, South Carolina Secretary of State; Dari McBride, president, Oconee County Chamber of Commerce; Joey Hawkins, chair of the Oconee Economic Alliance; Becky Beamish, Clarios vice president of human resources, US/Canada; Gerardo Gonzalez-Aleu, Clarios president, US/Canada; and John Edgemon, Clarios director of operations – components
- $16 million expansion of AGM battery component manufacturing to support 12 new jobs in growing global automotive sector
- Expansion of manufacturing plant in Oconee County to keep pace with automotive sector’s technology and manufacturing hub in South Carolina
- AGM 12-volt batteries power wide array of vehicle systems, such as safety and entertainment features, for every type of vehicle, including hybrids and EVs
Clarios produces more than 150 million low-voltage batteries for the mobility industry each year at manufacturing and distribution facilities throughout the world, including 16 in the U.S. In South Carolina, its operations include the Oconee County manufacturing plant, which is adding 12 new jobs. The company also operates a distribution center in Florence County.
“Clarios is proud to be a part of South Carolina’s automotive sector, a globally recognized manufacturing hub for high-performance vehicles and their advanced components,” said Gerardo Gonzalez Aleu, Clarios President of U.S. and Canada. “South Carolina provides a strong base of highly trained, skilled and knowledgeable workers.”
The 9,000-square-foot expansion in Oconee County will include infrastructure improvements and new, high-tech molding and assembly equipment to increase production of important components for AGM batteries at Clarios’ plant located at 1204 Old Walhalla Highway in West Union.
“We are pleased to see Clarios thriving and expanding in our state. The company’s investment and new jobs represent increased opportunities for Oconee County and reinforce that South Carolina is a place where businesses can prosper,” said Gov. Henry McMaster.
Automakers are continuously enhancing safety, fuel efficiency, and entertainment features, which collectively increase and diversify electrical loads. Modern vehicles, equipped with technologies such as lane-keeping assist, side blind zone alerts, engine start-stop cycling, adaptive cruise control, and advanced infotainment systems, place significant demands on their power sources. Clarios 12-volt AGM batteries offer the stability and flexibility required to manage these electrical needs effectively.
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) choose Clarios AGM batteries to reliably handle the demanding loads encountered under various driving patterns and applications. As vehicles continue to feature increasing content and electrical demand, Clarios AGM batteries will continue to provide the power required for consistent performance of these features. It is important to note that every type of car, whether it has a combustion engine, is a hybrid, or is an electric vehicle, needs at least one low-voltage battery. Oconee expansion operations are expected to be online in January 2025. Those interested in joining the Clarios team should visit the company’s careers page (clarios.com/careers).
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About Clarios: Clarios is a world leader in advanced energy storage solutions. We partner with our aftermarket and original equipment customers to meet increasing market demand for smarter applications on a global scale. Our approximately 16,800 employees develop, manufacture and distribute a portfolio of evolving battery technologies for virtually every type of vehicle. Our technologies deliver uniquely sustainable, next-generation performance, and bring reliability, safety and comfort to everyday lives. We add value at every link in the supply chain, ensuring that up to 99% of the materials in our batteries are recovered, recycled and reused, contributing to the progress of the communities we serve and the planet we all share.
About Brookfield: Brookfield Business Partners: Brookfield Business Partners is a global business services and industrials company focused on owning and operating high-quality businesses that provide essential products and services and benefit from a strong competitive position. Investors have flexibility to invest in Brookfield Business Partners either through Brookfield Business Corporation (NYSE, TSX: BBUC), a corporation, or Brookfield Business Partners L.P. (NYSE: BBU; TSX: BBU.UN), a limited partnership.
Brookfield Business Partners is the flagship listed vehicle of the Private Equity Group of Brookfield Corporation, a leading global alternative asset manager with approximately $800 billion of assets under management.
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