December 2023 showcased a flurry of new manufacturing ventures across the United States, ranging from cutting-edge EV technology facilities to substantial investments in packaging, building supplies, food processing, and more. Spanning ten U.S. states and involving thousands of jobs and billions in investments, let’s dive into the most noteworthy new manufacturing operations unveiled in December.

New Manufacturing Ventures in the U.S.: December 2023

Tyson Foods Unveils New $300 Million Poultry Plant in Virginia

Tyson Foods, a global leader in protein and one of the largest food companies worldwide, has inaugurated a new $300 million fully-cooked food production facility in Danville, Virginia. Covering 325,000 square feet, the facility stands as one of the company’s most automated plants, featuring high-speed robotic case packing and palletizing units, along with wearable armband devices to enhance health, safety, and productivity among team members.

The plant aims to churn out approximately four million pounds of premium-quality, fully-cooked poultry products weekly to meet the burgeoning demand for Tyson brand products, both in retail and foodservice sectors. With nearly 400 new jobs created for the southeastern Virginia region, the facility also signifies a significant investment in the local community. Donnie King, President and CEO of Tyson Foods, emphasized, “This plant is also a significant step toward our ongoing goal of operational excellence by investing in innovative technology and automation.”

VACOM to Establish U.S. Headquarters in Montana, Generating 500 Jobs

VACOM, a prominent German manufacturing company specializing in vacuum technology, has declared plans to set up its U.S. headquarters in Lewistown, Montana. Representing an estimated $90 million investment, the new facility is poised to create up to 500 well-paying jobs by 2029. Spanning 40,000 square feet, the campus will house a daycare facility and an educational center for employees.

Governor Greg Gianforte extended a warm welcome to VACOM in Montana, lauding the company for providing opportunities for Montanans. Jens Bergner, CEO of VACOM, expressed his enthusiasm about collaborating with Montanans, emphasizing, “They are a great people!” VACOM joins a series of businesses that have relocated or expanded to Montana under the Gianforte administration.

Chelsea Holding Co. to Construct New Manufacturing Facility in Pennsylvania

Chelsea Holding Co., a subsidiary of the German conglomerate aluplast Group, has unveiled a $1.8 million deal to acquire nearly 30 acres at Commerce Crossing at Westmoreland for a new manufacturing facility. Dubbed Chelsea Building Products East, the 228,000-square-foot plant will manufacture PVC-based window and door components, catering to both onsite and Chelsea Building Products South in Greenville, Texas. Expected to create between 100 and 150 jobs within five years, the new facility will also collaborate with the Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad to connect a nearby freight rail spur.

Elopak to Establish First U.S. Plant in Little Rock, Arkansas

Elopak, a leading global supplier of carton packaging and filling equipment, has unveiled plans to construct its first U.S. production plant in Little Rock, Arkansas. The facility will specialize in producing Pure-Pak® cartons for liquid dairy, juices, plant-based products, and liquid eggs.

The project signifies a significant investment of approximately $70 million USD and is expected to generate over 100 permanent jobs in the region. Thomas Körmendi, CEO of Elopak, remarked, “This is our first converting plant in the USA and a landmark investment for our company. North America is a key building block for our future growth, and we are very excited to expand our presence in the region.”

Star Charge Expands to U.S. with Ohio Plant

Star Charge, a global electric vehicle charging infrastructure company, has announced the inauguration of its first U.S. plant in Columbus, Ohio. With an initial production capacity of over 20,000 chargers annually, the facility will manufacture AC, DC, and bi-directional chargers for various applications, including NEVI-ready DC fast chargers. While specific investment figures and job creation numbers were not disclosed, the decision to establish operations in Ohio was influenced by several factors, including a favorable business environment, reasonable operational costs, a robust supply chain, and attractive government incentives.

Herman Chang, CEO of Star Charge, emphasized, “Our goal is to work with our U.S. customers to explore innovative solutions that drive e-mobility adoption and microgrids for a sustainable future.”

NanoGraf Opens First U.S. Silicon Oxide Battery Facility in Chicago

NanoGraf, a battery technology startup, celebrated the grand opening of its new office and manufacturing facility in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood. Spanning 17,000 square feet, the facility is the first large-volume silicon oxide manufacturing facility in the U.S., producing NanoGraf’s proprietary silicon anode material for longer-lasting, higher-energy, and higher-power lithium-ion batteries.

NanoGraf expects to create green and high-tech jobs in Chicago while scaling up its production capacity to meet the growing demand for its battery technology across various sectors.

Dr. Francis Wang, CEO of NanoGraf, emphasized, “NanoGraf’s new manufacturing facility is a testament to our ongoing commitment to grow a robust, competitive domestic battery supply chain. As a fully U.S. owned and operated company, we’re thrilled to play a pivotal role in creating new jobs and opportunities in Chicago.”

LG Chem Embarks on America’s Largest Cathode Plant in Tennessee

LG Chem, a leading global chemical company, has initiated the construction of a cathode plant in Clarksville, Tennessee, with an investment of around USD 1.6 billion. Expected to be the largest of its kind in the U.S., the plant will produce 60,000 tons of cathode materials annually for electric vehicles (EVs) in the North American market.

The plant is poised to create about 1,000 jobs and support the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) by securing a supply chain from FTA nations. LG Chem has signed long-term contracts with major automakers such as GM and Toyota for the supply of cathode materials.

CEO Shin Hak-cheol underscored, “With the Tennessee cathode material plant as the center, LG Chem will undoubtedly leap to become the top cathode material supplier in North America.”

84 Lumber Opens New Component Plant in Georgia

84 Lumber, the nation’s largest privately held building materials supplier, has inaugurated its newest component manufacturing plant in Fairburn, Georgia. The $10 million facility will create 100 new full-time jobs and produce roof and floor trusses, wall panels, and engineered wood products for residential and commercial projects. Spanning 84,000 square feet, the facility boasts state-of-the-art machinery and technology.

Maggie Hardy Knox, President and Owner of 84 Lumber, highlighted, “We are always looking for opportunities to expand our footprint and serve more customers across the country. This plant will allow us to provide high-quality components and solutions to our builders and contractors in the Atlanta metro area and beyond.”

ABB Breaks Ground on New Facility for Cable Accessories in New Mexico

ABB Installation Products, a leader in electrification and automation, has announced the construction of a new manufacturing facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The facility, representing a more than $40 million investment and 55 new jobs locally, will produce cable accessories and solutions for undergrounding, grid hardening, and wildfire mitigation projects

Make U.S. Manufacturing Your Market

Looking to expand into the U.S. market? Consider an IndustrySelect subscription for live access to MNI’s database of 460,000 industrial companies and one million executives, helping you identify and pre-qualify the best leads. Set up a free demo account of IndustrySelect today, loaded with 500 real company profiles!

Article Source: https://www.industryselect.com/blog/new-us-factories-announced-in-december-2023