A $163.8 million expansion is underway at three Schaeffler Group USA manufacturing facilities in South Carolina. The manufacturer makes precision products for machines, equipment, and vehicles for myriad industries — including direct-drive and linear systems, roller-bearings, plain bearings, and other precision components for gearboxes and automotive applications.

The new investment in South Carolina will mean more than 440 new jobs. Schaeffler as a whole has more than 80,000 employees in 49 countries; the North American operations execute the engineering, production, sales and marketing for INA, FAG and LuK motion components. The expansion is expected to be completed by the end of 2016, and the company is currently hiring for new positions.

“Schaeffler’s $163 million investment … is going to mean 440 new jobs in Chesterfield, Spartanburg, and York Counties. We thank Schaeffler for the partnership we have been able to build with them, and we look forward to watching them succeed here for many years to come,” said South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.