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       CULLMAN, Ala. — REHAU, Inc. (REHAU), a leading global provider of polymer-based innovations and systems for the building, automotive and industrial markets, unveiled its new $66 million coatings production line at a ceremony Wednesday, Aug. 7. This is a major investment that will create 50 new jobs in Cullman.
       Governor Kay Ivey, Alabama Republican Congressman Robert Aderholt, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) Director Kenneth Boswell, REHAU CEO Markus Distelhoff, COO Michael Kohlberg, Plant Manager Dieter Wiedmann, Polonium Coating Line Project Manager Andreas Frohne and approximately 100 guests attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new production line, which marked the official opening of 22,500 square feet of new building space and the renovation of 72,000 square feet of existing building space.
       “The new paint line will allow REHAU to fulfill a new manufacturing contract with Mercedes to extrude components for the new MBUSA (Mercedes-Benz USA) electric vehicle production line,” explains Dale Greer, director of the Cullman Economic Development Authority. “The original paint line is 25 years old. This investment will support REHAU’s continued operations in Cullman for many years to come.”
       ”The expansion in Cullman continues to be a testament to the quality of the workforce here and the support the company has received from the Cullman community, local government and the state of Alabama,” Greer said.
       REHAU was the first automotive supplier to follow Mercedes to Alabama, helping the state become a leader in auto manufacturing. The company has a sales office in Detroit, but Kalman is its first manufacturing facility in North America. REHAU Kalman currently has 772 employees and operates a 140-acre facility with 1 million square feet of buildings.
       “REHAU initially chose this location because they valued the quality of Alabama’s workforce and business-friendly environment,” Greer said.
       As a result of REHAU’s success in the automotive business in Kalman, the company also established a construction division in the region and its first research and development centre outside of Europe.
       “The company has had tremendous success in Alabama, growing more than tenfold in size over the last 30 years,” he said. “REHAU’s success helps demonstrate that Alabama workers can meet high standards in auto manufacturing. This investment reinforces REHAU’s commitment to Cullman, Alabama, and the southern auto industry.”
       REHAU supplies Mercedes-Benz in Vance, Alabama, Nissan in Mississippi and Tennessee, Kia in LaGrange, Georgia, Toyota in various locations including Alabama and Mississippi, and BMW in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
       “REHAU has played and will continue to play a major role in Alabama’s auto manufacturing,” Greer said. “Alabama has gone from producing zero cars 30 years ago to being the fourth-largest state in the nation in terms of auto production.”
       According to the 2023 Department of Commerce report, Cullman County ranks first in Alabama in the number of expansion projects, number of expansion jobs, and amount of expansion capital investment.
       Several speakers from local and state agencies shared their thoughts on the project during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday.
       “I am honored to be here today to celebrate another important milestone for REHAU Automotive and the state of Alabama. REHAU was the first automotive supplier to follow Mercedes to Alabama, a decision that has helped establish our state as a hub for automotive manufacturing,” Ivey said. “REHAU’s rich history began in Cullman, and today the company is an important part of our industrial family, employing more than 750 Alabamians. Nothing compares to Alabama’s workforce, and this new auto paint plant is a testament to the strength of Alabama’s business-friendly climate. It’s no wonder that Cullman County ranks first in expansion projects and jobs and second in expansion capital investment. This success is a direct result of the hard work of Alabamians, and it’s something we can all be proud of.”
       “As the governor said, (Cullman) is the fastest growing city in the state of Alabama, so your work, Dale (Greer) and your team speak for themselves,” Aderholt said. “I want to thank REHAU for their commitment to this area. The expansion of their facility in Cullman is a testament to how important their presence is to the Cullman community. While this facility has contributed to Cullman’s success, it also plays a vital role in keeping Alabama on the cutting edge of the auto industry.”
       “I am honored to be here today to witness this tremendous expansion,” said Cullman County Commission Chairman Jeff Clemons. “I really appreciate you being here, Governor; it’s great to see you back in Cullman County. We appreciate the jobs that REHAU is creating here with this expansion and the quality jobs that are being invested in Cullman that are so important to our community. I believe much of our success in economic development is due to the county and the city working together. We are partners, and together we are working to better serve the citizens of Cullman County.”