Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that NGK Ceramics USA Inc., a leading manufacturer of ceramic components for automobile engines, will expand its operations in Iredell County. The company plans to create 86 jobs and invest more than $93 million over the next three years in Mooresville. The project was made possible in part by a $160,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.
“My top priority is creating jobs,” said Gov. Perdue. “Our investments in infrastructure, a strong workforce and our low cost of doing business have created a top-notch business climate where manufacturers can thrive.”
NGK Automotive Ceramics USA is a subsidiary of NGK Insulators Ltd., located in Nagoya, Japan. NGK Automotive Ceramics USA directly supports and supplies all major automobile and heavy duty diesel manufacturers with high-performance precision ceramic components for diesel and gasoline engine emission control systems. The company currently employs more than 540 people at its facility in Mooresville.
Salaries will vary by job function, but the average annual wage for the new jobs will be $38,416, plus benefits. The Iredell County average annual wage is $37,492.
“We would like to thank the State and Local governments for their support which helped secure this investment for our Mooresville plant,” said Tomokazu “Tony” Asai, president of NGK Automotive Ceramics USA. “NGK continues to find Mooresville as a desirable location with an excellent workforce, a good transportation infrastructure and outstanding support from the community and local businesses.”
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.
“It’s great to see NGK expand in Iredell County,” said Rep. Mitchell Setzer of Catawba. “Clearly our skilled workforce and superior business climate have helped them thrive and succeed.”
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 the use of the One NC Fund, more than 60,000 jobs and $11 billion in investment have been created since 2001. Other partners that helped with this project include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C. Community Colleges, Iredell County, Town of Mooresville and the Mooresville-South Iredell County Economic Development Corporation.
For more information about NGK Ceramics USA, including job opportunities, go to www.ngk-detroit.com.