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Above: Dura Automotive Systems celebrates the grand opening of its new EV battery enclosures plant in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. (Image courtesy of Alabama Department of Commerce)
The electric vehicle market continues to heat up in the U.S, with February’s new plant announcements dominated by EV makers and related suppliers—particularly in the nation’s southern states. Other new projects run the gambit of industries, from AI-powered solar solutions to metal fabrication to low-carbon building solutions.
Representing new and expanded manufacturing facilities across ten U.S. states, February's announcements represent billions in investments and thousands of jobs. Let’s explore some of the most exciting new manufacturing companies announced in February 2022.
In response to the Infrastructure and Jobs Act’s call for 500,000 EV charges along U.S. highway corridors, Tritium DCFC Limited, a manufacturer of DC fast chargers for electric vehicles, announced plans in February to establish a massive new facility in Lebanon, Ohio. The new site will house up to six production lines for fast chargers and will bring more than 500 jobs to the area over the next five years.
“Tritium’s investment in a U.S.-based, cutting-edge facility for manufacturing is part of our strong push toward global growth in support of the e-mobility industry,” said Tritium CEO Jane Hunter.
Meanwhile, zero-emission, purpose-build EV manufacturer Envirotech Vehicles, Inc. announced it has chosen Osceola, Arkansas as the location for its new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. The new location will create 800 jobs and encompass 580,000 square feet.
Said Phillip Oldridge, CEO of Envirotech Vehicles: "We are thrilled to announce that we have chosen Osceola as the home of our first U.S.-based manufacturing facility, backed with the support of the Great River Economic Development Foundation and the state of Arkansas. We are confident that Osceola has the perfect business climate and local workforce to allow us to see growth and success in the region as the state's first commercial electric vehicle manufacturer.”
At the tail end of January, Dura Automotive Systems officially opened its massive new facility in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The new 200,000 square-foot plant will employ 270 workers and produce EV battery enclosures.
“This milestone event celebrates our continued partnership with customers to accelerate the transition to electrified, high-performance vehicles,” Dura CEO Carl Beckwith said.
Nissan then announced on February 21st that it plans to transform its existing Canton Vehicle Assembly Plant in Mississippi into a center for U.S. EV production. The reimagined facility will produce two all-new, all-electric vehicles, representing a $500 million investment, and the preservation and upskilling of nearly 2,000 jobs.
“Today’s announcement is the first of several new investments that will drive the EV revolution in the United States,” said Ashwani Gupta, chief operating officer, Nissan Motor Corporation, Ltd. “Nissan making a strong investment in Canton’s future, bringing the latest technology, training and process to create a truly best-in-class EV manufacturing team.”
In Georgia, Aspen Aerogels, a provider of aerogel-based sustainability and electrification solutions, announced plans to establish an advanced manufacturing facility in Bulloch County’s Southern Gateway Park. Representing a minimum investment of $325 million, the company expects to provide 250 advanced manufacturing jobs.
The new facility is in response to heightened demand from EV makers, who utilize the company’s PyroThin® aerogel thermal barrier solutions.
“We are pleased to be in the State of Georgia for the siting, development, and construction of our PyroThin materials plant,” noted Don Young, President and CEO of Aspen. “The City of Statesboro and the Bulloch County region offer Aspen a superior combination of operating features, including access to efficient ports; a strong, available workforce; and secure, low-cost utilities and critical raw materials.
Heading over to Texas, energy management and automation leader, Schneider Electric, announced plans to break ground on a 160,000 square foot manufacturing plant in El Paso. This new $100 million investment is expected to increase production and speed delivery of electrical products to customers across North America amid supply chain challenges.
The El Paso facility is expected to bring 400 new jobs to the area, and will be Schneider Electric’s largest manufacturing operation in the U.S.
Said Annette Clayton, CEO and President of Schneider Electric North America, "The supply chain challenges of the past year have demonstrated the importance of increasing our domestic manufacturing capacity as quickly as possible. Our new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in El Paso will allow us to get products into the hands of our distributors and end users more quickly, and it will bring an estimated $138 million in economic value to the local area."
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In Arizona, kitchen and bath products manufacturer Kohler Co., announced the construction of its new one-million-square-foot manufacturing facility in Casa Grande. With plans to employ more than 400 workers, the new facility will produce its STERLING vikrell bath and shower fixtures.
“We are pleased to expand our North American manufacturing footprint in the western U.S. This new plant will provide the needed capacity to support our strong growth projections for STERLING Vikrell bath and shower products,” said Shawn Oldenhoff, President of Kohler Kitchen and Bath North America.
Neway Packaging, a distributor of packaging supplies and equipment, announced it has expanded to a new location in Las Vegas due to increased demand. The company’s new 52,000 square-foot facility will help them meet increased demand for their packaging supplies & equipment.
Meanwhile in Pennsylvania, Canadian green construction technology company Nexii Building Solutions announced the opening of first U.S. facility at a former steel pole manufacturing plant in Hazelton, PA. With plans to produce energy-efficient, low-embodied carbon building solutions for Northeastern markets, the new plant currently employs 100.
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"We are thrilled that Nexii's first unveiling in the United States is in Hazleton, a community that has proudly played an integral role in America's manufacturing heritage," said Stephen Sidwell, CEO, Nexii Building Solutions. "As we look to the future, and work with communities like Hazleton - transitioning away from industries like coal or steel.”
Heliogen, a provider of AI-enabled concentrated solar energy, announced February 22nd that it plans to establish a new manufacturing facility in Long Beach, California. The new state-of-the-art plant will leverage AI-enabled heliostats to efficiently generate higher temperature than what normally might be produced with traditional solar technology. The new 90,000-square-foot facility will employ 250 workers by 2025.
“We believe our state-of-the-art heliostat manufacturing facility is the world’s first and only purpose-built facility for high-volume heliostat production,” said Bill Gross, Chief Executive Officer of Heliogen.
Pennsylvania metal fabricator Miller Fabrication Solutions announced plans to add a fourth manufacturing plant to its existing Pennsylvania facilities. Miller Fabrication Solutions, which was named one of the top metal fabricators in the U.S. by The Fabricator magazine, supplies OEM’s across a wide range of industries, including construction, forestry, material handling, rail equipment and more. The new plant will be located in Pine Creek.
“The Pine Creek facility enhances our growth position through the consolidation of parts production at that plant and the opportunity to streamline productivity across welding, machining and assembly at our three other facilities,” Miller said. “This increase of more than 35% shop floor space will give us the scale to consider how automated devices, autonomous vehicles and other technologies can streamline production beyond what we have currently.”
Tyson Foods made headlines February 2nd when it opened its new $355 million bacon production facility in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The new 400,000 square-foot facility is expected to be fully operational by 2023.
“This is a historic day for Tyson Foods as we invest to meet the continued growth of our iconic Wright and Jimmy Dean brands,” said Noelle O’Mara, Group President of Prepared Foods for Tyson Foods.”
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