By Rhoda Miel | PLASTICS NEWS STAFF
Posted June 13, 2012 CULLMAN, ALA. (June 13, 9 a.m. ET) -- German auto supplier Rehau AG + Co. will invest $30 million to expand production at its Cullman plant for new bumper production.
The investment will cover infrastructure and equipment costs needed for bumper assemblies for Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz C-Class and M-Class vehicles, as well as improved production for additional North American business and to support business outside North America, the company said in a June 12 press release.
Rehau, with North American headquarters in Leesburg, Va., has injection molded bumper fascias and other parts in Cullman since the late 1990s. Upgrades to the facility now include a building expansion, new injection molding equipment, auxiliary fabrication equipment and conversion of the painting line to a waterborne-paint system.
The company also expects to add up to 200 more employees during the next two years.
Bumper assembly design and development in Cullman have already started, with the first production using new equipment expected in mid-2013. | 
