Brose Sitech opens first U.S. factory for Scout Motors seating
Brose Sitech is launching its inaugural U.S. manufacturing plant in Blythewood, South Carolina, to supply complete seating systems for Scout Motors' electric vehicles, creating nearly 330 jobs.
Brose Sitech is launching its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Blythewood, South Carolina. The plant will produce complete seating systems for Scout Motors' Scout Traveler SUV and Scout Terra pickup truck.
The new 140,000-square-foot plant is located within the Scout Motors Supplier Park in Blythewood. This marks the inaugural U.S. manufacturing operation for Brose Sitech, a joint venture between the Volkswagen Group and Brose. The company is headquartered in Polkowice, Poland, and operates 22 locations worldwide with more than 8,000 employees. Scout Motors is an independent subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group.
Job Creation and Supply Chain Impact
The Blythewood plant will create nearly 330 production and support jobs as operations ramp up. Brose Sitech plans to recruit and develop a local workforce for these manufacturing and support positions.
The facility's location is strategic. It will enable just-in-time delivery, simplified logistics, and direct coordination with Scout Motors' vehicle assembly operations. This strengthens the regional supply chain for electric vehicle production.
Strategic Expansion and Regional Development
This project expands Brose Sitech's North American footprint. It will function alongside the company's existing corporate base in the Detroit metropolitan area, which oversees sales, engineering, and other support functions for the new plant.
The investment is part of a broader wave of automotive supplier activity in South Carolina. In the Upstate region, seven automotive suppliers plan to invest more than $82 million and create 200 jobs. Their projects include:
| Company | Investment | Jobs | Product Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spartanburg Steel | $40 million | 60 | Stamping components |
| Magna DRIVE | $15 million | 30 | Stampings and assemblies |
| KV Final | $14 million | 50 | Stamping |
| Rochling Automotive | $5 million | 15 | Grille shutters, wheel-arch liners |
| Magna Mirrors | $5 million | 15 | Exterior mirrors |
| Cooper Standard | $3 million | 15 | Glass sealing systems |
Also, Sodecia and Aapica announced plans to invest $120 million and create 392 jobs at an Orangeburg County facility producing ladder frames for Scout vehicles. Other Richland County incentive projects approved recently were expected to total approximately $95 million in investment and nearly 300 new jobs.
Accounts differ on the specific scale of the Brose Sitech project. State commerce officials cite the creation of nearly 330 jobs. Another report listed the investment at roughly $30 million and the new jobs at 180.
Scott Keogh, president and CEO of Scout Motors, stated that the partnership creates opportunities for South Carolina communities and strengthens the local automotive supply chain. Juan-Carlos Kieler, executive vice president of Brose Sitech Columbia, said establishing the U.S. location is an important milestone that positions the company closer to its customer for long-term North American development.
The broader Scout Motors Production Center in Blythewood represents a $2 billion investment expected to create more than 4,000 permanent jobs. The Supplier Park itself spans nearly 200 acres and includes more than 2.3 million square feet of space. It is projected to support around 1,000 supplier jobs and generate $368 million in related local investment. Brose Sitech is now committed to building its local workforce for the new Blythewood facility.
