Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that SAERTEX USA LLC, a manufacturer of technical fabrics for lightweight composite structures for the green energy sector, will expand its current facility in Mecklenburg County. The company plans to create 178 jobs and invest $6.5 million over the next three years in Huntersville. The project was made possible in part by a $110,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.
“Creating jobs remains my number one priority, especially in fast-growing sectors such as the green economy,” said Gov. Perdue. “High-tech manufacturers continue to be attracted to North Carolina by our skilled workforce and top-ranked business climate. Today’s announcement, and others like it, confirm the top national economic rankings that keep rolling in for North Carolina.”
SAERTEX works primarily in the wind energy, aerospace, civil engineering, auto and shipbuilding industries by producing the reinforcing technical fabrics to create composites that are competitive with established materials such as steel and aluminum. This expansion is a result of growing demand for lighter components that save energy. Founded in 1982, SAERTEX is headquartered in Saerbeck, Germany and has locations in France, Germany, Portugal, South Africa, India, China and the U.S. The company opened its first North Carolina facility in 2000 and currently employs 126 in Huntersville.
Salaries will vary by job function, but the average annual wage for the new jobs will be $41,506 not including benefits. The Mecklenburg County average annual wage is $48,776.
“SAERTEX USA appreciates the support of Gov. Perdue and the State of North Carolina in helping increase our footprint in North Carolina, while supporting wind and other green industries in the United States,” said Dr. Christian Kissinger, General Manager of SAERTEX USA. “We are encouraged by the recognition and the vision of the State of North Carolina in promoting new technologies like composites in the transportation and renewable energy sector. While we continue to focus on bringing new technologies to the market that will create more efficient transportation systems and wind turbines, it is the support of local, state and federal governments that will lay the necessary groundwork.”
The One NC 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.
“SAERTEX’s announcement is terrific news for Mecklenburg County,” said Sen. Malcolm Graham, of Mecklenburg. “It also shows that our economic strategy is working. Instead of cutting to the bone during the recession, we invested in education, worker training, transportation and other infrastructure that helped build and maintain a top-tier business climate. That’s why companies like SAERTEX are expanding and other firms are moving to North Carolina.”
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, and lay the foundation for a strong and sustainable economic future.
Through use of the One NC Fund, more than 45,000 jobs and $8 billion in investment have been created since 2001. Other partners that helped with this project include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, the Town of Huntersville, Mecklenburg County, N.C. Community Colleges, the Charlotte Chamber and the Lake Norman Economic Development Commission.
For more information about SAERTEX, including job opportunities, go to www.saertex.com