"We will invest 2.5 million euros in each facility by early 2014 at the latest," CEO Klaus Fricke told Automotive News Europe. "We're going to hire 100 new employees for each facility by then."

Output at Dr. Schneider's factory in Liaoyang, China, starts in March. The plant will produce air vents and decorative and mounting parts, including the makeup mirror for the BMW 3 series and 5 series.

Dr. Schneider, an 84-year-old, family-owned company, had sales of 2.3 billion yuan and an operating profit of 99 million yuan in 2010. The company expects 2011 sales to rise to 2.6 billion yuan.

The company makes ventilation systems, interior panels and modules for instrument panels and center consoles. Dr. Schneider employs 3,000 employees worldwide.