Scout Motors names chief production officer

Listen to this article

Scout Motors Inc. has named Jan Spies as its chief production officer effective early 2024.

In this role, Spies will lead manufacturing of Scout Motors’ all-purpose, all-electric truck and SUC slated for production by the end of 2026 and oversee the launch of its new manufacturing facility in Blythewood, according to a news release. The company also announced it has officially started local hiring, the release said.

“Jan is the ideal leader to turn the ambitious vision of Scout Motors into a reality,” said Scott Keogh, president and CEO of Scout Motors. “His vast experience and visionary approach to production management will be invaluable as we establish world-class manufacturing operations. Additionally, the initiation of hiring for our South Carolina facility marks an exciting milestone as we work towards building a dynamic team that will help us shape the future of all-electric transportation.”

Spies is a veteran automotive production expert who has more than 20 years’ experience at the Volkswagen Group, providing him with extensive knowledge of plant operations, according to the release. He has developed multiple flagship projects including the Volkswagen Group of America’s manufacturing campus in Chattanooga, Tenn., which opened in 2011 and now produces more than 250,000 vehicles annually.

Since 2019, he has served as head of planning and production technology for Volkswagen AG, and he has held multiple other production leadership roles in the past. He holds a doctorate degree in mechanical engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich.

Scout Motors has now hired more than a dozen employees in South Carolina for the new manufacturing facility in Blythewood. Recent leadership hires include Punam Patel as South Carolina liaison, Corey Epps as HR director and Wendy Bashnan as director of security and fire protection. Patel previously worked in external affairs for MUSC Health and served on South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster’s AccelerateSC COVID-19 response team. Epps joins Scout Motors after more than 23 years at BMW’s manufacturing facility in Greer. Bashnan led security for Nielsen and spent more than 28 years with the Diplomatic Security Service of the U.S. Department of State.

Scout is currently hiring for more than 20 South Carolina-based open roles in production, supply chain, information technology and administration. Current career opportunities can be found on the company’s careers page. Potential candidates can indicate their interest in future manufacturing positions by submitting their information at scoutmotors.sctechjobs.com.