MUSCLE SHOALS, AL—Dura Automotive Systems has opened a new state-of-the-art assembly plant here to produce electric vehicle battery enclosures.

The $75 million, 200,000-square-foot facility is expected to employ more than 270 full-time workers at peak production. It will supply lightweight aluminum EV battery enclosures to the Mercedes-Benz electric battery assembly plant in Bibb County.

The factory will use advanced robotics and proprietary forming and joining technologies to create lightweight structures used for EV battery systems. More than 60 robots are deployed throughout the plant, and more than 500 light curtains, lasers and proximity switches are active to ensure safety for personnel throughout the site.

Extensive LED lighting throughout the building is controlled through motion activation to minimize energy consumption. Advanced water treatment systems fed by reverse osmosis processes reduce water consumption and protect the clean water supply.