BYD brings jobs to Americans
2017-04-10
BYD s electric bus factory in California is boosting the local economy with jobs and expanding both its premises and production capacity
BYD's electric bus factory in California is boosting the local economy with jobs and expanding both its premises and production capacity.
As the world's largest manufacturer of rechargeable batteries and electric vehicles, Chinese company BYD established its factory in Lancaster, California, in May 2013.
Now, with more than 560 employees, the BYD factory has become one of the major job-supporting companies in Lancaster.
BYD's 10,219 sq m facility is undergoing an expansion to 41,435 sq m by July, with 1,000 to 1,500 more job opportunities coming along. Its yearly production capacity will increase from 350 to 1,500 vehicles.
At the announcement of the expansion, Lancaster City mayor Rex Parris said: "The local economy has already realised a significant boost, thanks to the addition of much-needed jobs through our growing partnership with BYD."
Most employees at the factory are local residents. Mr Vern Lawson, economic development director of Lancaster City, said many people have lost their jobs since "the severe economic downturn" in recent years. The BYD factory's job opportunities are helping people get back on their feet.
In the dense plants, electric buses were built from zero on the production line, where more than 400 technicians were doing assembly, plate shearing, bending, testing and painting. Yet, not all BYD employees have relevant experiences, so the company offers them a 30-day training programme.
Ms Stella Li, senior vice-president of BYD, said: "Before they come to BYD, they might have been doing cleaning, delivering or some other low-tech jobs. So for the first week, we teach them some basic knowledge, then we take another three or four weeks to train them in welding, installing or some other skills."
Build Your Dreams is what BYD stands for and what the employees believe in.
