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Above: Morgon Olson's new plant in Roanoake, VA (Photo Credit: Trailer Body Builders.com)
Recent industrial data finds the U.S. industrial sector continues to show signs of life, with new orders, employment and production all showing steady improvement following the historic lows recorded at the height of the pandemic.
Furthering this cautious optimism, new plant announcements and expansions have accompanied the recovery, making headlines throughout the month of August.
Some new and expanded operations are focused on producing medical supplies and developing COVID-19 vaccines, while others represent the fast-growing food processing and transportation equipment sectors.
Encompassing 10 states and representing a diverse set of industries, these are the major new or expanded U.S. manufacturing operations announced in August.
Arizona
Industrial outlook for the state of Arizona is looking just a little brighter with mattress manufacturer MLILY’s plans to open a new facility in Goodyear. The new facility will represent the company’s second location in Goodyear, with plans to open in December.
The plant will employ 300 once fully operational and will encompass 643,000 square feet.
Currently, Arizona is home to 5,485 industrial companies and 16,075 executives. The state is home to some major industrial companies like Honeywell Aerospace; Intel Corp. and Raytheon Missile Systems. Learn more about accessing our Arizona data here.
Illinois
Illinois, which has seen steep declines in its manufacturing sector over the past few years, has announced new two facilities in the state.
Just last month, we announced that Huntsman, a manufacturer of adhesives, coatings and thermoplastic resins and films, expanded its facility in Ringwood.
In August, Conagra, a major food manufacturer, announced it had started expanding its South Beloit facility, with plans to hire 150 workers once the expansion is complete.
The South Beloit facility currently makes a variety of packaged cookies and the new expansion will allow for expanded production of soft-baked cookies.
In addition, viaPhoton, a fiber optics “micro-factory” opened in Aurora this month. The new “hyperlocal” fiber optic factory builds and supplies fiber optics to support data centers and 5B infrastructure, according to the Daily Herald. The new facility encompasses just 25,000 square feet, where it will create “a domestic security of supply for fiber optics,” according to Baber Abbas, CEO, and will bring “high-quality, good paying jobs back to the U.S. and Chicagoland region.”
Interested in Illinois manufacturing companies? Read our report Top 10 Manufacturing Companies in Illinois or learn about accessing detailed profiles of the state’s 16,194 industrial companies and 50,823 executives here.
Kansas
Bell Textron celebrated the grand opening of its new location in Wichita this month. The facility will focus on supply chain services, engineering and manufacturing, according to a press release.
The new Bell facility in Wichita is a great addition to the Air Capital of the World and will continue Kansas’ leadership in aerospace manufacturing,” said U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.). “I look forward to seeing Bell contribute to our strong aviation industry as a defense and commercial leader.”
Bell Aviation is a major aviation company and is a division of Fort-Worth-based Textron Corp.
Kansas is a major aviation center and 20% of the state’s manufacturers involved in some type of transportation equipment manufacturing. The state is home to Spirit AeroSystems and Textron Aviation, to name just a few. Access data on all of Kansas’ 4,582 industrial companies and 10,685 executives here.
Massachusetts
The medical supply industry has seen a number of expansions and new facilities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This month, medical products manufacturer Medline Industries, Inc. established a new 820,000 square foot distribution facility in Uxbridge to serve healthcare facilities in New England.
Massachusetts’ industrial sector has reinvented itself over the past several decades, fostering strongholds in biotech and pharmaceuticals. Learn more about our Massachusetts data here or read our report 7 Things to Know About Massachusetts Manufacturers.
New Hampshire
Skin care products manufacturer Tri-K announced that it has established a new plant in the town of Derry, New Hampshire.
The facility will focus on the production of proteins that are used in the company’s hair and skin care formulas.
Ohio
The state of Ohio saw a number of new announcements in August, specifically in the food products industry. First up, Good Catch Foods, subsidiary of Gathered Foods, announced the opening of its new 42,000 square foot facility in Heath. The new plant will product vegan seafood products made with a proprietary blend of legumes. Currently, the plant employs 52, with plans to employ 80 once fully operational.
Another food processor, Tulkoff Food Products, announced plans to establish a new 52,000 square foot facility in Cincinnati based on increased demand for its condiments, sauces and dressings.
Meanwhile, 84 Lumber announced it has established a new truss production facility in Mansfield. The company has been expanding rapidly over the past few years, growing from 4 components plans in 2015 to 10 by the end of 2020.
The Mansfield plant will focus on building trusses, supporting construction projects in the Columbus and Cleveland areas.
Ohio is among the nation’s top manufacturing states, representing a diverse set of companies including GE Aviation Systems, AK Steel Corp and Fiat Chrysler. Looking to do business in Ohio? You can access the state’s 18,413 companies and 54,607 executives with our Ohio manufacturing industry database.
South Carolina
Heading over to South Carolina, Phoenix Specialty Mfg Inc., supplier of custom parts to OEM manufacturers, announced plans to expand its facility in Bamberg, S.C., representing an investment of $5.5 million and creating 35 new jobs.
Texas
In Texas, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies began construction on a new gene therapy 60,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in College Station. The new facility represents an investment of $55 million and will support COVID-19 vaccine candidate manufacturing.
Texas is the second-largest state for manufacturing, home to 23,197 industrial companies and 69,467 executives. Access our live Texas database here.
Virginia
Meanwhile in Virginia, two major transportation equipment companies opened plants in the state.
First up, Mack Trucks opened a new facility in Roanoke County in August. This is the company’s thirteenth U.S. factory and represents an investment of $13 million.
And in Ringgold, Virginia, transportation equipment company Morgan Olson opened a new 925,000 square foot manufacturing plant, representing an investment of $60 million. The facility had been in the works since October, with plans to revamp an idled furniture factory. The facility will manufacture step vans, used to deliver essential supplies like medical products, food and water to hospitals and homes.
Currently, Morgan Olson employs 300 at the plant, but plans to hire an additional 400 workers by the end of 2021.
According to the Virginia Department of Economic Development, Virginia is the nation’s fourth-largest state for truck manufacturing. Virginia is home to a number of other manufacturers across a diverse set of industries, from transportation equipment to food processing to printing and publishing. Access all 6,984 manufacturers and 16,572 executives with our Virginia data.
Wisconsin
Just this week, Aebi Schmidt North America announced the expansion of its M-B Companies, Inc. facility in Chilton, Wisconsin. With this new endeavor, the company has expanded capacity by 70,0000 square feet. The expanded facility has incorporated advanced manufacturing capabilities, including new metal fabrication, finish coating and heated material storage capacity for its line of pavement marketing equipment & power broom attachments.
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