[TheCapstone]

Vance factory expansion to create 535 new jobs

Automotive supplier Lear Operations Corp. plans to expand its factory in Vance -- a move that will create more than 500 new manufacturing jobs during the next few years.

Lear now makes auto seats for Mercedes-Benz’s C-Class sedans. It will make seats for Mercedes’ GLE and GLS sport utility vehicles when the additional plant comes on line in 2019.

Mike Thomas, Lear’s plant manager, said the plant will add an estimated 535 employees when the SUV seating production begins. The plant now has around 140 employees. With the expansion and additional hiring, Lear will become one of the largest employers among the automotive suppliers in Tuscaloosa County.

Lear will spend more than $27.7 million on the expansion at its plant at 17499 Brookwood Parkway. The figure includes construction and addition equipment. Construction is expected to start this fall.

Thomas said the company will do its own training of the new employees. It might start hiring in the second quarter of 2017. Lear’s hiring will be done through Alabama Industrial Development Training, the state’s workforce development partnership, he said.

When the hiring begins, Lear will post the jobs and job applications on AIDT’s website, he said.

Lear revealed its expansion plans Thursday at the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority’s board meeting.

The board approved abating $567,857 in non-educational ad valorem taxes over 10 years and $1,112,770 in non-educational sales and use taxes incurred during construction. The state allows such abatements for manufacturers that build or expand plants that result in additional manufacturing jobs.

Lear came to Tuscaloosa County in 2012 when it built its Vance plan to make seating for Mercedes C-Class. Lear is located down the road from Mercedes' sprawling auto assembly plant in Vance.

The TCIDA board also amended the incentive package approved in 2014. The company, now called Yanfeng, incurred additional costs during its expansion.

Yanfeng initially expected to spend around $10.4 million but ended up spending $14.4 million.

Its non-educational tax abatements were increased as follows: ad valorem taxes over 10 years from $210,771 to $300,411; sales and use taxes for construction from $168,552 to $389,340.

Yanfeng makes automotive parts and assemblies at a plant on Progressive Drive in the Cedar Cove Technology Park in Cottondale. That plant employs more than 400 people.