Press Releases
15 April 2009
Volkswagen Group of America Chattanooga Operations Selects Abacus Service Corporation as Safety Supplier for Construction Site
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Volkswagen Group of America Chattanooga Operations, LLC announced today that it has selected Abacus Service Corporation to provide safety engineers for the construction of its Chattanooga plant. Abacus, a certified Tennessee Minority Supplier Development Council corporation, has a $648,000, two-year contract with the company.
"Safety of our on-site workers is essential, and we are glad to have Abacus Service Corporation working with us in this capacity," said Hans-Herbert Jagla, executive vice president, Human Resources of VWGoA Chattanooga Operations.
"Abacus is very happy to work with Volkswagen on the construction safety services management project. We are working hard to provide outstanding and cost-effective services to Volkswagen on this project," said April Szlaga, Operations Manager, Abacus Service Corporation. "Our Chattanooga office will focus on hiring local talent for this project, which is one of our main goals," added Sirisha Akunuri, President, Abacus Service Corporation.
Volkswagen Group of America will invest $1 billion in the local economy for the plant and create 2,000 direct jobs in the region. According to studies, the new Volkswagen plant is expected to generate $12 billion in income growth and an addition 9,500 jobs over the life of the project. To date, more than $204 million in local contracts have been awarded by the city, state and Volkswagen; this includes almost $160 million for Volkswagen contractors and subcontractors, with another $230 million over the next 20 years.
Volkswagen is in the early stages of procurement and will continue to expand its local and national supplier base in the coming months. The company has announced that at least 10 percent of the suppliers for the production facility will be minority and women-owned businesses by start of production and that five percent of suppliers for the vehicle will be minority and women-owned by start of production, with the goal of 10 percent by 2015. Volkswagen is partnering with local, state and federal organizations to help achieve that goal.
About Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, the world's third largest automaker and the largest carmaker in Europe. It houses the U.S. operations of a worldwide family of distinguished and exciting brands including Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini and Volkswagen, as well as VW Credit, Inc. Founded in 1955, the company's headquarters are in Herndon, Va.
Volkswagen Group of America brings to the U.S. vehicles that marry the science of engineering and the art of styling, with the goal of offering attractive, safe, and environmentally sound automobiles that are competitive and set world standards in their respective classes.
The company has approximately 2,500 employees in the United States and sells its vehicles through an 800-strong dealer network. With increasing popularity for its brands in the U.S., the company has set the goal of reaching one million car sales in the country by 2018.
For more information, visit www.volkswagengroupamerica.com.
About Abacus Service Corporation
Abacus Service Corporation is a minority and woman owned business certified by Tennessee Minority Supplier Development Counsel with an office in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Abacus' expert staff and highly defined processes ensure that their clients achieve all their business goals by meeting the client's cost and speed requirements. Abacus serves Fortune 500 clients in several Industries such as Utility, Computers & Technology, Food Products, Manufacturing/Aerospace, Office Products, Apparel and Healthcare.
In Chattanooga, the company will continue to grow operations in the next two quarters. Abacus has hired a local Account Manager who will be marketing their services to other Chattanooga companies.
For the last two years, Abacus has also been working with clients in Canada. There also have an office in India where employees do some back-office support and research work.
