Ziehl-Abegg will relocate into Union Cross Industrial Center investing over $100 million and creating hundreds of new jobs
Ziehl-Abegg, a German manufacturer of ventilation systems, generators, and other equipment, will establish its North American headquarters in Forsyth County, investing over $100 million and creating hundreds of new jobs. The company has selected a 500,000 SF build-to-suit property in Union Cross Industrial Center in Southeastern Forsyth County which will house both its headquarters and manufacturing and distribution operations.
Ziehl-Abegg employs 5,000 people at 16 production plants globally, including an existing facility in Guilford County with over 200 employees. The Guilford County jobs are expected to move to the new location, which will also add at least 300 new jobs as a result of the expansion.
“We have been located in the Triad for over ten years, and we knew it was a prime location to consider for our expansion in the US,” says Mirco Herrmann, Managing Director of the North American market for Ziehl-Abegg. “Forsyth County offers the talent that fosters our success as a company, and is committed to developing the manufacturing workforce here, so we know there will always be great people with the right skills to grow our team.”
As an established Triad manufacturer, Ziehl-Abegg already contributes to the development of the industry sector and its workforce. The company is a partner employer of two local apprenticeship programs – the Learn and Earn Apprenticeship Program (LEAP) at Forsyth Tech, and Guilford Apprenticeship Partners (GAP).
The company’s ventilation products are used in a variety of industries including automotive, medical, and telecommunication applications. It operates on a sustainable model as both a certified energy and environmental management system, focusing on sustainability, resource conservation, and energy efficiency.
“Through this expansion and new headquarters, we are excited to welcome a global leader in advanced manufacturing to Forsyth County,” says Mark Owens, President and CEO of Greater Winston-Salem, Inc. “This location decision underscores the advantages that manufacturers have in this area – from infrastructure and logistics, to availability of talent, to a supportive business climate. We are confident that we can continue to deliver these benefits as the industry grows.”
Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines says “as an industry sector that we are targeting for growth, our city has been proactive in identifying and developing world-class industrial properties and fostering the advanced manufacturing talent pipeline to build a strong workforce. We are seeing the results of those efforts with Ziehl-Abegg’s decision to locate here.”
An incentives plan approved by the City of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County calls for the creation of 303 jobs. The new jobs generated by the expansion will have an average wage of $60,000. The company plans to grow the workforce continuously over the next couple of years.
Winston-Salem City Council Member James Taylor says “I am excited to welcome an employer to the Southeast Ward that will provide new jobs with family-sustaining wages. This not only benefits our ward, but our entire City and County as more people have access to equitable employment opportunities. With our concentration of manufacturing employers in the Southeast Ward, we are able to develop an economic hub that fuels the growth of our city as a whole.”
“This project exemplifies Forsyth County’s continued strength in advanced manufacturing,” says Kyle Haney, Forsyth County Community & Economic Development Director. “We are excited to welcome Ziehl-Abegg to Forsyth County and to partner with them as they locate and add jobs here.”
City, County, and economic development partners assisted in providing location assistance to Ziehl-Abegg for this project, including Greater Winston-Salem, Inc., the City of Winston-Salem, and Forsyth County. Forsyth County approved incentives totaling $429,929 and the City of Winston Salem approved incentives of $632,947.