|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issue: 1093 Date: 8/4/2011
|
|
Over 500 Jobs Coming To St. Louis
British Company Wants to Build Electric Vehicles in Hazelwood
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| The British company Emerald Automotive wants to build a lightweight, hybrid van for commercial use, named the T100. Rendering courtesy of Emerald Automotive. |
|
|
HAZELWOOD (KMOX) - A British automobile manufacturer plans to put down roots in north St. Louis County, employing hundreds, potentially thousands.
Emerald Automotive wants to build a plant that could directly employ up to 580 people, plus another 400 suppliers, by 2015.
Company Board Member Sharon Heaton tells KMOX what the plan will build "advanced technology, low emission fleet vehicles for commercial delivery companies. We'll be exporting those to Europe and other places and we expect we'll be developing a market in the United States as well."
The Missouri Technology Corporation has approved a two million dollar loan, and the Hazelwood City Council is providing the same amount from its economic development sales tax.
Emerald initially looked at 25 possible locations around the country. She says incentives and the quality of the local work force helped them narrow the list of potential sites down to one: Hazelwood.
"Absolutely superb, coordinated effort by everyone within Missouri, from the politicians, the RCGA, the unions, the councils, and everyone really came together." CEO Andy Tempest says.
Heaton says if all goes well, Emerald will begin hiring soon.
"We will actually begin doing a modest amount of hiring in 2012. We will be hiring a larger number of people in 2013 and expect to be at about 300 people by the end of 2013."
They will be United Auto Workers members.
The company's first client is European and is committing to buy "thousands" of them, Heaton say, of England's postal service, which is looking to replace its fleet of 40,000 vans.
Heaton says the vehicles retail for $15,000 more than the conventional diesel van, but will more than pay for themselves over four years.
The grounds of the old Ford plant in Hazelwood is one of the sites being considered for the plant.
Added RCGA President Dick Fleming: "We're pleased that they've planted the flag here in St. Louis."
|
|
 |
| Andy Tempest, CEO of Emerald Automotive LLC, is welcomed by Regional Chamber and Growth Association President Richard Fleming, left, and the RCGA's Jim Alexander following a Hazelwood special meeting of the city council where it was announced that the British automaker would build fleet vans in the city. |
|
|
