Expansion Management

BorgWarner Turbo Systems Meets Increased Demand by Expanding in North Carolina

May 8, 2014

The company expects production in North America to more than double over the next five years.

Tighter emissions regulations and the push for more fuel-efficient vehicles are driving the need for more turbocharged engines. As a result, the U.S. turbocharger market is growing rapidly which has led to BorgWarner Turbo Systems announcing on May 7 that it is expanding its North Carolina manufacturing operations in Buncombe County.

The company expects production in North America to more than double over the next five years.

Globally, volumes for light vehicle turbocharger production are forecast to increase from 29 million in 2014 to 43 million in 2019.

The company plans to create 63 jobs and invest more than $32 million over the next three years in Arden, N.C.

BorgWarner Turbo Systems’ turbocharging technologies are designed to improve fuel economy, emissions and performance. The company has a wide range of vehicles, from commercial trucks and off-highway equipment to high-performance race cars. In fact, every car in the Verizon IndyCar Series is equipped with a BorgWarner EFR (engineered for racing) turbocharger.

“Since 1977, BorgWarner Turbo Systems has grown significantly in the Asheville area, employing over 650 people today,” said Frédéric Lissalde, president, BorgWarner Turbo Systems. “As demand for our world-leading turbocharging technologies escalates, BorgWarner will continue to leverage the strong and talented local labor pool.”

The project was made possible in part by a performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

Other partners that helped with this project include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C. Community Colleges, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Buncombe County and the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.