Eldor opens auto-parts plant in Botetourt County

Eldor Corp.S.p.A  has officially opened its $75 million auto-parts plant in Botetourt County, the company’s first manufacturing facility in the U.S.

The 250,000-square-foot plant in Daleville has begun production. It expects to employ 350 workers within five years.

The factory is operated by Eldor Automotive Powertrain USA,  an Eldor subsidiary.

Based in Orsenigo, Italy, Eldor makes ignition systems, electronic control units, full systems for hybrid and electric vehicles and e-mobility solutions.

The company has five plants in Europe, North America, South America and China. It employs 3,000 workers worldwide.

Eldor announced plans for the Daleville plant in March 2016. Its incentive package included a $3.2 million grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund.

In addition, the company will receive benefits from the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant Program. Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

The Daleville plant is part of Eldor’s expansion plans for the North American market.

The new plant features fully-automated production lines. It also houses offices, a cafeteria with an in-house chef, an exercise facility and a basketball court.