Van-Rob Automotive expanding in Manchester

Friday, May 17, 2013, Vol. 37, No. 20

NASHVILLE (AP) — Automotive supplier Van-Rob will expand its plant in Coffee County, adding 104 jobs.

Company and state officials said Wednesday the company is spending $16.8 million to increase manufacturing in Manchester. Van-Rob makes vehicle components, including fuel doors and cross-car beams.

The first expansion phase will allow the company to consolidate two plants under one roof with a 42,500-square-foot addition, expected to be completed this year. A second phase will add 36,000 square feet to the press shop, allowing for larger presses for future growth. That work is expected to be completed by 2015.

Van-Rob, Inc. — based in Aurora, Canada — is a division of KIRCHHOFF Automotive. The parent company's headquarters is in Iserholm, Germany.