Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Henniges Automotive will add new manufacturing jobs at its plant in Reidsville. The expansion will bring 64 new jobs along with a $2.2 million capital investment. The project was made possible in part by a $65,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.
“Creating jobs is my top priority, and one of the best ways to do that is to support existing North Carolina businesses and encourage them to grow,” Gov. Perdue said. “Henniges Automotive’s decision to expand operations in Reidsville is proof that North Carolina continues to have a top-ranked business climate where global manufacturers can thrive.”
Henniges Automotive manufactures automotive sealing parts for the global market. The company currently employs 226 people at its Reidsville facility, which produces parts for Ford, Chrysler and BMW. Henniges Automotives also has plants located in Missouri, Oklahoma and Iowa.
Salaries will vary by job function, but the average annual wage for the new jobs will be $27,849 not including benefits. The Rockingham County average annual wage is $31,044.
“The support we have received from North Carolina is much appreciated at Henniges Automotive,” said Geri Gasperut, Vice President of Human Resources. “Partnerships like this allow our company to grow and provide additional employment for the state of North Carolina. We look forward to continuing this trend in the future”.
The One North Carolina Fund provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to qualify for grant funds. These grants also require and are contingent upon local matches.
North Carolina continues to have a top-ranked business climate. Through Gov. Perdue’s JobsNOW initiative, the state works aggressively to create jobs, train, and retrain its workforce, laying the foundation for a strong and sustainable economic future.
Through the use of the One North Carolina Fund, more than 55,000 jobs and $11 billion in investments have been created since 2001. Other partners that helped with this project include the N.C. Department of Commerce, N. C. Community Colleges, Rockingham County Partnership for Economic & Tourism Development, Rockingham County and the City of Reidsville.