MTU Plant 'S.C. Manufacturer of the Year’
The MTU Aiken Plant, which produces world-class diesel engines and components, has been named South Carolina Chamber of Commerce‘s 2014 Small/Medium Manufacturer of the Year.
The facility is operated by MTU America Inc. The MTU brand is part of Rolls-Royce Power Systems within the Marine and Industrial Power Systems division of Rolls-Royce.
The award was presented during the inaugural Palmetto Vision Awards Gala held on 18 September at the Marriott Columbia. This prestigious recognition – presented by the nation’s first state chamber Accredited with Distinction by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce – is the most comprehensive statewide manufacturing award in the nation. MTU America was one of hundreds of companies nominated from across the Palmetto state.
Jens Baumeister, director of operations at MTU America, accepted the award.
“This award is a result of the hard work and diligence of our employees, who constantly strive for manufacturing excellence while also supporting their community,” said Baumeister. “While this is an incredible honor, we have much more to achieve as we continue to grow and work to be a model for businesses throughout the state.”
To date, MTU has invested approximately $100 million at its Graniteville facility, where it currently employs 300 people. The plant also serves as a hands-on learning hub for local high school students through its award-winning apprenticeship program, based on similar training programs in Germany, which was created in conjunction with The Aiken County School District and Aiken Technical College.