Dynax Announces Major Expansion in Botetourt

Botetourt County Administrator Jerry Burgess speaks at the Dynax announcement. On his right are Mary Rae Carter, deputy secretary of commerce and trade for rural development; Kagenori Fukumura, president of Dynax America. On left is Billy Martin, chair of Botetourt Board of Supervisors.

Dynax America Corporation, a manufacturer of parts for auto transmissions, announced this morning that it will expand its existing Botetourt County facility, adding 95 new jobs and investing $15.66 million.

Parent company Dynax Corp. of Hokkaido, Japan, evaluated a number of locations for its expansion, including a potential site in China, before deciding to grow in Botetourt.

“Dynax’s strong management and the area’s excellent business climate have combined to help Dynax grow to be the largest private employer in Botetourt and one of the largest in the entire Roanoke Region,” says Billy Martin, chairman of the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors.

Dynax will expand into the former Johnson Controls building next to the current plant in EastPark Commerce Center. The new 80,000-square-foot facility will handle receiving and warehousing and allow Dynax to repurpose approximately 50,000 square feet in the existing building to increase production.

Expansion work will begin by the second quarter of 2011. The 95 new jobs will pay an average wage of $34,312. Of the $15.66 million in investment, $1.12 million will be in building and infrastructure with the balance in equipment.

"We are very optimistic about our company’s growth and development in Botetourt County, Virginia and would like to thank our partners who have made this expansion possible,” says Kagenori Fukumura, president of Dynax America.

The Commonwealth approved a $200,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Botetourt County with the project. Th company is also eligible to receive a Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit. Through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide funding and services to support the company’s recruitment and training activities. Botetourt County will provide Dynax with cash and in-kind performance grants valued at $214,280 in support of the expansion.

Dynax America has 360 permanent employees at its Botetourt County location on Eastpark Drive. The company, which located in Botetourt in 1996, manufactures clutch discs, drive plates, clutch packs, and torque converter pistons for automatic transmissions.