DOVER, Ohio — On Monday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and members of his administration announced that Schaeffler, a motion technology company, will build an EV manufacturing facility in Tuscarawas County.
According to DeWine's office, the facility will be built in Dover and will bring 650 jobs and $54 million in associated payroll to Wayne and Tuscarawas counties. Schaeffler says it is investing over $230 million in building the new plant, as well as future expansions in the state until 2032.
“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 DeWine in a statement. “Schaeffler is already established in Ohio, and we welcome their decision to expand here to support our growing and thriving electric vehicle ecosystem.
Specifically, Schaeffler's Dover plant will manufacture electric beam axles and electric drivetrain systems to support the hybrid/EV industry.
Schaeffler currently operates a manufacturing facility in nearby Wooster and an automotive aftermarket operation in Strongsville. The company is a global manufacturer of high-precision components and systems for engines and transmissions.
The 650 new jobs will be spread out between the Wooster and Dover locations. The state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Dover will offer various employee amenities and developmental opportunities. The company expects to break ground in mid-2024 and open sometime in the third quarter of 2025.
Dover Mayor Shane Gunnoe tells 3News that the facility will be located in what is currently farm land in the North End Industrial Park. (The approximately 52.9 acres in the square in the middle of the below site location.)
"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," Gunnoe added. “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.”
To support Schaeffler’s commitment to bringing 650 new jobs to Ohio, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority approved a 2.228%, 15-year Job Creation Tax Credit for the project on Monday. The company has also committed to retaining 1,622 current jobs and making more than $230 million in total fixed-asset investments.
Schaeffler Group USA provides components for drivetrains in automotive, aerospace, and industrial applications. The Wooster location is home to R&D and manufacturing for Schaeffler’s automotive operations. Key customers include Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis. Its parent company, Schaeffler AG, is headquartered in Germany and operates in approximately 200 locations and 50 countries.