Rolls-Royce invests $75M to expand engine manufacturing facility in South Carolina
Rolls-Royce has announced plans to expand its mtu Series 4000 engine manufacturing facility in Aiken, South Carolina. The company, which produces high-power backup generators and engines for critical infrastructure and data centers, is investing $75 million into the project and creating 60 new jobs at the site.
The expansion will occur in two phases. Phase one will add 37,000 square feet to the existing facility, with the potential to add another 22,000 square feet in a future phase, bringing the total to 60,000 square feet. Construction on Phase 1 is set to begin in the first quarter of 2026, with production expected to start by July 2027. The facility currently spans 395,000 square feet on a multi-use campus that includes engine testing, R&D, and remanufacturing operations.
The investment will allow Rolls-Royce to increase in-country machining of mtu Series 4000 engine components, most of which are currently machined in Germany. By expanding its U.S. machining capabilities, the company aims to reduce lead times and increase supply for its Mankato, Minnesota, generator assembly facility.
The South Carolina Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved job development credits to support the project.
What people are saying
In a recent quote, Adam Wood, Managing Director for Rolls-Royce’s Power Systems division in America, said, “The increased investment strengthens our ability to serve our U.S. customers – especially in the fast-growing American data center industry. By increasing our machining capabilities in Aiken, we can supply more engines to Mankato, enabling us to deliver more gensets with shorter lead times. These investments reflect our commitment to supporting U.S. customers with reliable, locally produced solutions.”
Henry McMaster, Governor of South Carolina, added, “Rolls-Royce’s expansion in Aiken County further positions South Carolina as a leader in advanced manufacturing. This investment and the 60 jobs it will bring represent a big win for the community, and we are proud of the success Rolls-Royce has found in our state.”
Adam Riddle, CEO, Rolls-Royce North America, said, "Today’s announcement underscores Rolls-Royce’s commitment to the U.S. market and demonstrates our robust manufacturing capabilities. We are proud to support America’s growing demand for reliable, domestically made energy systems that strengthen our nation’s energy independence and security. With more than half the world’s hyperscale data centers located here in the U.S., this will continue to be a key growth market for many years to come."
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About the Author
Alexis GajewskiAlexis Gajewski
Senior Content Strategist
Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.
During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry.
Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.
Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.
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