Ohio Governor Ted Strickland joined CEO of the Miba Group, Peter Mitterbauer, and other leaders on Tuesday to open a new production site for sintered components and a new production line for high-performance engine bearings in McConnelsville.

Bernie Anderson, site manager for Miba Bearings US, told the Herald the additions will create more than 80 new jobs – 60 on the Sinter side and 20 for the new bearing line.

Anderson commented on the opening of the new $30-million facility, “I couldn’t be happier with the way things went.”

He commented on Morgan County’s unemployment rate.

“Maybe this will get us out of that category of having the highest unemployment rate. I think this is the first step for things to look up. Things are moving with Finley Fire Equipment, Grout Hog, and hopefully with the new Miba facility.”

At a press conference held in the new facility, Gov. Strickland said, “This expansion project will have a lasting impact on the McConnelsville community and is another sign of Ohio’s economic recovery.”

“Our partnership with Miba is creating good jobs for hard-working Ohioans and is a part of our plan to lay a strong foundation for long term economic growth,” Strickland said. “The people of this area are hard working. We are very proud of this work force in Ohio.”

Ohio provided more than $3.8 million in state incentives to assist with Miba Sinter’s expansion project.

“At the new Miba Sinter USA site we are producing energy-efficient engine and transmission components for the North American market,” said Peter Mitterbauer, CEO of the Miba Group. “This means we are near the customer and are producing large volumes in the same place where they are distributed.”

Mitterbauer said, that in 1968 and 1969, he lived in Ohio working with the Dana Corporation. He was interning with the Dana Corporation, and has fond memories of his stay in the United States.

“I have become a defender of the United States. America always has been held in very high esteem by me particularly,” he said. “We took over the company the week before 9-11. It was Sept. 4, 2001 when we signed the contract. That is a very special day. Today we are holding the grand opening of the new sinter plant. We have invested $30 million U.S. dollars and will create 80 new jobs.”

Mitterbauer, who was accompanied by his son, Franz Peter Mitterbauer, said some 83 years ago his father, at age 21, started a very small precision company. Now the company has grown to 12 companies in six countries, employing about 2,700 people. There are three production sites in the United States – one in Michigan, one in Greensburg, IN, and the other at McConnelsville. His son is the third generation in the company.

“Why did we come to McConnelsville? Why didn’t we go to Mexico or Alabama?” Mitterbauer asked. “Because we got great support from the local McConnelsville community. I must congratulate you. They (referring to the CIC and the county commissioners) did a tremendous sales talk. We also have a highly motivated and skilled work force here.”

Construction of the new site, which was built alongside the sister plant Miba Bearings US, began in 2009. At the first stage of expansion, Miba is running two production lines.

Together with the new sinter site, a new production line for high-performance engine bearings is being opened, which also creates new job opportunities in McConnelsville. Almost $14 million has been invested in the new engine bearings production line, which produces lead-free engine bearings for use in a new generation of heavy-duty truck engines. Customers are producers of truck diesel engines in America.

“Being located near the customer is considered an absolute competitive advantage. This bearing technology has been in development since 2004. Miba’s high-tech materials are what sold the client on us,” explained Wolfgang Litzlbauer, CEO Miba Bearing Group.

The new production line has a yearly output of four-million parts. In the future, about 70,000 engines per year will be equipped with main and conrod bearings from the new production site.

There are currently 260 people employed at Miba Bearings US, while 20 people have already been hired to work at Miba Sinter USA. About 60 more people will be hired between the two facilities, officials with the company said.

Harald Neubert, CEO of Miba Sinter Group, said, “In August we will have the first shipment. We hope to earn money quickly. We have invested a lot here with $30 million on the sinter side. The building can be enlarged.”

Neubert added, “We believe in North America and we believe the automotive market will come back.”

Litzlbauer commented, “It is a privilege and pleasure to be here. Our McConnelsville site is a stronghold, and we have a great team here, previously with Ted McConnel, and now with Bernie (Anderson, site manager of Miba Bearings US). They have proven that they can be successful.”

“We are coming here with the latest modern technology. We are the sole supplier for all those new engines, which will go back to Europe and to the Chinese plants. Here in McConnelsville, we will export this high tech product out of the United States,” Litzbauer said.

The group then held a formal ribbon cutting at the new facility, followed by a luncheon held at the site.

Anderson had praise for his team in preparing for the ribbon cutting and luncheon which followed. He commented, “The guys were working hard to keep the plant clean, and I really do believe we have great people here. The committee made a fantastic effort to prepare for the event.”

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