German-based chain manufacturer KettenWulf is bringing a new manufacturing operation to Auburn, Alabama, Gov. Kay Ivey recently announced. According to the governor’s office, the company plans to invest approximately $34 million in the operation, creating an estimated 70 new jobs in the community.
“KettenWulf’s decision to invest in Auburn speaks to Alabama’s ability to compete and win on the global stage,” Ivey said in an official statement announcing the investment. “With a highly skilled workforce and deep manufacturing heritage, Alabama’s business climate continues to attract innovative manufacturing companies from around the world.”
Founded in 1925, KettenWulf specializes in producing high-performance engineered conveyor chains, drive chains and sprockets for industrial applications as varied as mining, steelmaking, bulk-material handling and manufacturing.
“On behalf of the Wulf family, that includes my siblings, Julia and Tobias, and our father, we appreciate the valuable support we have received from the city of Auburn and the state of Alabama that made this possible,” said Ansgar Wuld, the company’s current CEO. “We are proud to have found our new home in Auburn to serve our customers across the Americas.”
“Auburn proved to be the right fit for our operational needs, offering a unique environment for our business while strengthening our presence in the United States market,” added Brian Ludvigsen, general manager of KettenWulf.
Other local and state officials also celebrated the investment–which was coordinated by both Auburn’s Economic Development Department and the Alabama Department of Commerce.
“We are grateful to the Wulf family for choosing Auburn and bringing this great company to our city,” said Auburn Mayor Ron Anders Jr. “KettenWulf further strengthens our technology-based manufacturing sector. We are excited about the economic impact that the investment represents and are grateful for the good jobs offering opportunities for our citizens.”
“We are excited to welcome KettenWulf to East Alabama, and we look forward to a long and prosperous relationship,” added Ellen McNair, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “The company’s decision to develop future innovations in Auburn speaks to the talent and experience of the local workforce and the strong community support that is already in place.”
Additionally, statewide trade association Manufacture Alabama told APR that KettenWulf’s investment in Auburn is evidence of the strength of Alabama’s manufacturing industry.
“The KettenWulf announcement is another strong testament to Alabama’s business-friendly environment and our state’s reputation as a place where manufacturers can grow and succeed,” Jon Barganier, president of Manufacture Alabama, said in a statement to APR. “Investments like this underscore the confidence global companies have in Alabama’s workforce, infrastructure, and long-term economic outlook.”
According to the governor’s office, KettenWulf hopes to establish a long-term partnership with the local community in Auburn, with the new operation serving as a foundation for the company’s future growth in the U.S.
