Meteor breaks ground on auto seals plant

BOCKENEM, Germany (Nov. 13)—Meteor Gummiwerke GmbH and Co. has broken ground for the first phase of a new automotive seals facility at Worbis in the Thuringia region of eastern Germany. Bockenem-based Meteor aims to transfer operations from its nearby Dingelstaedt plant to the new facility, which eventually will employ about 300ùdouble the number at the existing unit. The move will be completed by late 2002, although Meteor said it will start producing door seal systems at Worbis by April. The facility will include a 38,735-sq.-ft. production area as well as engineering support and office facilities. Cost of the plant was not disclosed.