Project Chinook is a BMW parts manufacturer
Sebastian Willnow/AFP/Getty Images<br> Workers control the production of car parts at the plant of German carmaker BMW in the eastern German city of Leipzig Sept. 9. Project Chinook could lead to another parts manufacturing plant being built in Moses Lake.
MOSES LAKE — A joint venture company considering a new Grant County location apparently has plans to build a local plant for BMW parts.
The new facility would result in creating about 180 new jobs.
The carbon fibers and fabrics would be used for the electric “Megacity Vehicle” being developed by BMW last year, according to a company Web site.
The carbon fibers would be produced at a site in North America, while the carbon fabrics would be made at a plant in Germany, according to the company.
The company is formally named SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers, according to public documents obtained from the Grant County PUD.
The company is comprised of the BMW Group and the SGL Group.
Although a decision on where to locate the company has not been made, company officials have been working for weeks to agree on a power sales contract with the PUD and to find funding for an electrical substation.
Officials close to the project said a decision could be announced any day.
The company is also considering another site in Canada.
Grant PUD General Manager Tim Culbertson received permission from PUD commissioners to negotiate a 10-year power sales contract with the utility, during a December PUD meeting.
The company had the Port of Moses Lake apply to the Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) for a $500,000 grant and a $1.5 million loan to help build the substation.
The CERB board meets later in January.
Jon Smith, a communications and research manager of the Grant County Economic Development Council (EDC), declined to comment, other than to confirm a decision hadn’t been made about the company’s new location.
The EDC is working with a site selection company representing the group.
“The joint venture with the BMW group is a milestone for the use of carbon fibers on an industrial scale in the automobile industry,” stated SGL Group CEO Robert Koehler on the company’s Web site.
“For the first time, carbon fibers are taking on an important role in a series of vehicle manufacture. This confirms our strategy and shows that carbon fiber technology is becoming increasingly important in the materials substitution process to lighter material,” according to Kohler. “This material will help to reduce CO2 emissions and save natural resources.”
SGL Group’s customers include the following industries: steel, aluminum, chemical, glass/ceramic, semiconductor, battery, solar/wind energy, environmental protection, aerospace, defense and nuclear industries, according to the company’s Web site.
“This join venture is designed to be a classic win-win situation. We are acquiring pioneering future technologies and raw materials that we need for the Megacity Vehicle on competitive terms,” stated Norbert Reithofer, BMW AG Management Board Chairman, on a company Web site, in October.
“The SGL Group is moving into the automobile business with us as a strong partner. With our concepts within project i, we are breaking new ground when it comes to vehicle architecture, lightweight design and the use of materials,” he stated.