The FAG Bearings USA factory in Joplin, Missouri is receiving a major round of investment from parent Schaeffler Group (Germany), to produce large precision bearings for gearbox applications in the wind energy industry.

Schaeffler will reportedly invest USD $40 million in the 5-year expansion effort, creating at least 70 more jobs in the process.

The Missouri Department of Economic Development has awarded FAG nearly $980,000 in Enhanced Enterprise Zone tax credits for the project.

Joplin is two facilities on 135 acres, FAG Bearings and FAG Automotive. FAG Bearings was the first operation in Joplin, dating to 1970. Employees there produce specialty cylindrical, spherical and ball bearing for applications such as paper and pulp mills and heavy construction equipment.

Joplin is vertically integrated, from forging to turning to heat treat, grinding and assembly. The plant's largest bearing ring capacity was approximately half the OD needed in the wind energy market, so a new forging line is also being added.

Until this expansion project was announced, Joplin's largest industrial bearings were approximately 440mm OD, far smaller than the 880mm OD bearings needed for the wind power applications.

The second facility, FAG Automotive, opened its doors in 1990. It manufactures OEM automotive and light truck wheel hub assemblies.

From the early 1990's through 2007, FAG Joplin was involved in a widely reported trichloroethylene (TCE) groundwater contamination complaint -- used as a degreaser, and the use of which stopped when Joplin stopped making bearing balls in 1982. The settlement ultimately cost FAG several million dollars for environmental cleanup and property loss compensation. The company's final settlement was just over two years ago.

article: FAG Joplin released from long-running pollution case
On a lighter note, FAG Joplin was recently targeted by satire news :

Women use Jedi Mind Trick to Rob Joplin Businesses
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