Goldhofer Inc. to Establish First North American Facility in North Carolina
Goldhofer Inc., a renowned German manufacturer specializing in heavy transport and airport ground support equipment, is set to expand its operations to North America with an $19.5 million investment in Catawba County, North Carolina. This strategic move will bring 80 new jobs to the area, as announced by Governor Josh Stein.
Governor Josh Stein expressed his enthusiasm for the development, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Goldhofer to Catawba County. North Carolina has more advanced manufacturing talent than any other state in the Southeast, offering global companies a skilled workforce, a strong ecosystem for innovation, and a great business climate for growth.”
Goldhofer, a company with roots dating back to 1705 and officially established in 1946, has evolved from a small forge into a global leader in premium transport solutions. Headquartered in Memmingen, Germany, the company employs around 1,000 individuals worldwide and generates annual sales exceeding $350 million, with operations across Europe, North America, India, and the Middle East. Their product line includes heavy-duty mechanical and self-propelled trailers and airport technology products, such as towbarless aircraft tractors used globally by major airlines.
The new facility in Hickory will be located at Trivium Corporate Center and will feature an initial 80,000-square-foot production hall.
David Weinmann, CEO of Goldhofer Inc., highlighted the choice of location, stating, “When we thought about where Goldhofer needs to grow in North America, North Carolina kept rising to the top. Skilled people, solid infrastructure, and a business environment that supports manufacturing. We’re committing to the US for the long haul, and Hickory is where we will start the next chapter.”
N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley commented on the shared values between German companies and the state, saying, “German companies and North Carolina share a commitment to workforce development. Combined with our East Coast location and our exceptional quality of life, our continued investments in talent and innovation position North Carolina to attract and grow foreign investment for years to come.”
The creation of 80 new jobs is anticipated to generate an annual payroll impact exceeding $4.7 million for the region.
To support Goldhofer’s establishment in North Carolina, a performance-based grant of $200,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will be provided. This fund assists local governments in attracting economic investment and job creation, with companies receiving no upfront money and required to meet specific job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All OneNC grants necessitate matching local government participation, contingent upon meeting these conditions.
N.C. Senator Mark Hollo expressed his support for the project, stating, “This is an outstanding win for Catawba County and the entire state of North Carolina. Goldhofer will be in great company in Hickory and will join a stellar corporate community that is poised to support them for many years to come.”
The project is backed by various partners, including the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the North Carolina General Assembly, Commerce’s Division of Workforce Solutions, the North Carolina Community College System, Catawba Valley Community College, Catawba County, Catawba County Economic Development Corporation, and the City of Hickory.
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