Auburn, Ala. – Straehle + Hess USA, Inc. has announced plans to expand its Auburn operations, currently housed in the Auburn Center for Developing Industries on Pumphrey Avenue, to an existing facility in Auburn Technology Park North. City of Auburn and company officials made the move official at a signing ceremony held at Auburn City Hall this afternoon.
Straehle + Hess specializes in high-end textiles for automobile manufacturers such as Aston Martin, Audi, Mercedes Benz, and Porsche. In 2004, Straehle + Hess located in Auburn as part of the City’s industry incubator program. The program allows companies to ramp up operations in an existing incubator facility before constructing a permanent facility. Over the last 20 years, the City of Auburn has graduated more than 10 companies from its incubator program, many of which have gone on to further expand their operations. Kirsten Schoenharting, Managing Director of the German parent company for Straehle + Hess, commented at the signing, “The City of Auburn has been a tremendous partner in our attempt to build a larger footprint for our company in the North American market. Auburn is an ideal environment for our business. Auburn University’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, particularly the Department of Polymer and Fiber Engineering, has been a great resource for us over the last five years.” “I am pleased to see the investment in our incubator program is paying dividends,” said Mayor Bill Ham, Jr. “We congratulate Straehle + Hess on their expansion and look forward to seeing their production and hiring process ramp up.” The company was awarded a large contract for the new M-Class vehicle that will be produced by Mercedes Benz US International in Vance, AL. The expansion is expected to bring 20 new jobs and an additional capital investment of more than $500,000. Company officials expect to begin the hiring process in the fourth quarter of 2009. For more information, please contact the City of Auburn’s Workforce Development Division at (334) 501-7300.
Company Contact:
Straehle + Hess USA, Inc.
1490 Pumphrey Avenue
Auburn, AL 36832
(334) 501-0916
