Two international companies have announced plans to expand in North Carolina’s Mecklenburg County, investing a total of nearly $24 million and creating 146 new jobs combined.
In Huntersville, KURZ plans to build its North American headquarters on Patterson Road. Headquartered in Germany, the worldwide leader in hot stamping and coating technology will invest more than $18 million in the new facility and plans to hire 90 new positions by 2022.
“Businesses expect a certain amount of basic infrastructure to be in place before they will even consider a site,” said Thomas Hertlein, CEO of KURZ USA, “but after visiting Huntersville and meeting with neighboring companies, we knew this would be a great place for our North American headquarters. I would like to thank the Town of Huntersville, Mecklenburg County and the state of North Carolina for all their assistance in this process.”
KURZ employs more than 5,000 in its global operations, which includes 14 production sites in Europe and Asia, operations in Africa, six facilities in the United States including its current location in Charlotte as well as offices in Canada and Mexico. The company develops and manufactures decorative and functional coatings that are applied and employed for a vast range of products including automotive components, cell phones, televisions, washing machines, furniture, packaging, books, textiles, bottle labels and bank cards.
The company’s advanced coatings are used to decorate, label and protect surfaces and prevent counterfeiting. KURZ is also a leader in optical element inserts with digital functions, linking the visual to the virtual world.
“KURZ decision to expand in Mecklenburg County is a win for everyone involved,” said Bob Morgan, Charlotte Chamber CEO and President. “The new facility will offer high paying positions to a skilled manufacturing workforce while also sending the message to other international firms that this is the place to do business.”
Yokohama Tire Corporation plans to locate an R&D facility in Cornelius. The facility will create 56 jobs and generate $5.85 million investment for the area.
“Cornelius is a great fit for our company,” said Tetsuya Kuze, vice president of Yokohama Corporation of North Carolina. “The proximity to the airport and the skilled workforce is going to make this facility very successful.”
Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo-based The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., a global manufacturing and sales company of premium tires since 1917. Servicing an extensive sales network throughout the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation is a leader in technology and innovation. The company’s complete product line includes tires for high-performance, light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, and off-the-road mining and construction applications.
“We congratulate Yokohama on the opening of their new facility and express our sincere appreciation for their selection of Mecklenburg County,” said Morgan. “The new jobs created and investment made locally is a boon to the local economy and offers the potential for additional growth in the years ahead.”
In addition to the Charlotte Chamber, key partners in the projects include the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, North Carolina Department of Commerce, North Carolina Community College System, UNC Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Cornelius Town Board of Commissioners, Lake Norman Economic Development Corporation, the Town of Huntersville, and the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
Relocating or Expanding Your Business In North Carolina
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