PROSPERITY — This January MM Technics broke ground on their first North American facility at the Mid-Carolina Commerce Park. Fast-forward to today, they have cut the ribbon and are now open for business.

In honor of the occasion, MM Technics hosted a grand opening celebration at there newly constructed facility.

“We are here today to celebrate something that started back on January 25, when we broke ground for this facility. This is a very fast and successful build and it is owed to a lot of people,” said Mike Briggs, president of the Central SC Alliance, and emcee for the event. “Most of it is owed to the gentleman (Meinolf Muhr) that had the vision to do it. His vision intersected with the vision of (Newberry) County Council and others here in Newberry County, to have an industrial park where industrialist could come and locate and build buildings and invest dollars and create jobs. Those visions came together in this building.”

Meinolf Muhr, owner and president of MM Technics, gave the history of the new industry.

“In October last year we received official orders from BMW to supply stamping parts for the new X5. Once we made the final decision to start up a new facility here at the Mid-Carolina Commerce Park, the construction of the 40,000-square foot building was started in April this year and on September 15, MM Technics had its first working day at the new facility,” he said. “That means we had a construction period of less than six months.”

Muhr thanked those in attendance for guiding and assisting MM Technics through the process and solving every problem that presented itself along the way.

“Two years ago my uncle and I visited the Mid-Carolina Commerce Park for the first time. It was our first contact with the community of Newberry and the members of the Economic Department. Buddy Livingston, Wayne Adams and Rick Farmer, especially, worked incredibly hard to bring us to Newberry County,” he said. “There were a lot of arguments in favor of Newberry County, but in the end it was also an emotional decision. For me, Newberry is like a home away from home.”

Henry “Buddy” Livingston, chairman of Newberry County Council, added when he first met Muhr, who resides in Attendorn, Germany, it was like a family member who just decided to come back home.

“He is the type of person you would want in your community and the type of person you would want as an employer in your community,” Livingston said.

Governor Henry McMaster originally planned to attend the grand opening last Thursday, but was called to the nation’s capital on business. Briggs read a letter from McMaster in regards to the celebration.

“It was nearly a year ago that we learned MM Technics had chosen Newberry County for its first North American plant, and we’ve been looking forward to this day ever since. As a tier one supplier for BMW, MM Technics found a perfect fit in our pro-business environment. We are proud of the companies, our people and our state and we look forward to watching them grow and thrive for years to come,” McMaster’s letter read.

To date, MM Technics has already invested $10 million in machinery and in the building — a lot for a small company, Muhr said. They also plan to create 65 new jobs in the next five years and invest in further machines and expand the buildings, he said.

“I trust in a successful and continued growth of our business,” said Muhr.

Meinolf Muhr is presented with a gift from Mike Briggs to hang in the lobby of MM Technics.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_DSC_0066.jpgMeinolf Muhr is presented with a gift from Mike Briggs to hang in the lobby of MM Technics. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Billye West, Misty West and Councilman Scott Cain during the MM Technics grand opening.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_DSC_0052-1.jpgBillye West, Misty West and Councilman Scott Cain during the MM Technics grand opening. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Craig Kesler and Rep. Rick Martin during the MM Technics grand opening.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_DSC_0053.jpgCraig Kesler and Rep. Rick Martin during the MM Technics grand opening. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Newberry County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michelle Long and Councilman Travis Reeder MM Technics grand opening.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_DSC_0054-1.jpgNewberry County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michelle Long and Councilman Travis Reeder MM Technics grand opening. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Mike Briggs introduces MM Technics employees Audrey Leitzsey, purchasing, Jim Curran, tool and die manager and Christian Voss, general manager.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_DSC_0078.jpgMike Briggs introduces MM Technics employees Audrey Leitzsey, purchasing, Jim Curran, tool and die manager and Christian Voss, general manager. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Dawid Waloszek, Poland architect, and Roland Krause, Plant Manager MM Systemy, Poland, help Meinolf Muhr celebrate the new North American facility.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_DSC_0085-1.jpgDawid Waloszek, Poland architect, and Roland Krause, Plant Manager MM Systemy, Poland, help Meinolf Muhr celebrate the new North American facility. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

The ribbon is officially cut for MM Technics.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_DSC_0097.jpgThe ribbon is officially cut for MM Technics. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

The Muhr family during the MM Technics grand opening.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_DSC_0101.jpgThe Muhr family during the MM Technics grand opening. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer
Newberry County celebrates new industry

By Andrew Wigger

awigger@newberryobserver.com

Reach Andrew Wigger at 803-276-0625 ext. 1867 or on Twitter @ TheNBOnews.