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U.S. manufacturers were springing into gear in April, with a range of new operations announced from coast to coast. Notably, the biopharmaceutical sector saw advancements in mRNA production, while a range of industries from solar energy and water treatment to food production and building materials all experiencing significant growth. Let’s take a look at the most exciting new U.S. manufacturing operations and expansions announced this month:
Today we’re starting off with some sweet news. Mars, the global leader in confectionery, snacking, food, and pet care products, has announced an investment of over $70 million in its Hackettstown, New Jersey site. The Hackettstown location will see the establishment of a Research and Development (R&D) Innovation Studio, which includes a new test kitchen and packaging lab, aimed at enhancing the speed of innovation to align with changing consumer preferences.
The multi-year investment also includes the addition of a state-of-the-art chocolate production facility, reinforcing Mars’ dedication to quality and food safety. Anton Vincent, President of Mars Wrigley North America and Global Ice Cream, expressed the company’s ethos, stating, "At Mars, our commitment to quality and innovation has been at the center of our business for more than a century."
Meanwhile, Phoenix-based OMCO Solar, a leading manufacturer of steel structures for solar panels, has announced a significant expansion in Alabama with an investment exceeding $10 million. This strategic move will create 70 full-time jobs in Limestone County. The facility, which opened last month, is already employing 30 full-time workers and is expected to be fully operational within the third quarter. OMCO Solar’s CEO, Gary Schuster, expressed gratitude towards Alabama’s business-friendly policies, stating, "We are thankful to the state of Alabama and their approach to business with tax incentives that line up with our commitment to support domestic manufacturing, create U.S. jobs, and provide factory-direct solutions that solve for the complexity of utility-scale solar projects." The Huntsville facility is set to produce the Series 7 PV module backrail for First Solar.
Germany-based HUBER Technology, Inc., a pioneer in high-quality mechanical solutions for water treatment, has announced the grand opening of its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Denver, NC.
The plant is equipped with cutting-edge technology to meet the increasing market demands for the company’s stainless steel equipment used in municipal and industrial water, wastewater, sludge treatment, and energy sectors. “This investment underscores our unwavering dedication to our passion ‘Water’, to innovation, sustainability, and community engagement, while strengthening our position as a global industry leader,” stated Henk-Jan van Ettekoven, President & CEO of HUBER Technology, Inc.
North Carolina was no stranger to industrial investment this month with Nicolock Paving Stones, renowned for their vibrant hardscape products, announcing a significant expansion with a $25 million investment in a new manufacturing site in Concord, North Carolina, and a distribution yard in Raleigh. This strategic move is set to create numerous job opportunities across both cities.
Roberto Nicolia, CEO of Nicolock Paving Stones, expressed the company’s growth trajectory, stating, “Expanding our manufacturing and distribution footprint in North Carolina allows us to bring innovative hardscape solutions to more customers across the state and more jobs to the Concord and Cabarrus County communities.” The new distribution yard is expected to open in May, with construction of the manufacturing site commencing later in the year.
And in more news for North Carolina SCHOTT Pharma, a leader in pharmaceutical packaging solutions, set to establish its first U.S. facility dedicated to manufacturing prefillable polymer syringes, a critical component for mRNA medications requiring deep-cold storage. The new plant, located in Wilson, North Carolina, represents a significant investment of $371 million and is expected to create 401 jobs. Spanning a groundbreaking period expected by the end of 2024, with operations commencing in 2027, the facility will also produce glass prefillable syringes for GLP-1 therapies used in treating conditions like diabetes and obesity.
Andreas Reisse, CEO of SCHOTT Pharma, emphasized the strategic importance of the facility, stating, “The impact of this facility will go far beyond local job creation in North Carolina and will relieve stress on the entire pharmaceutical industry supply chain.” This expansion will enable SCHOTT Pharma to triple its contribution of syringes to the U.S. market by 2030, ensuring a more robust supply chain and enhanced pandemic preparedness.
In more good news on the biotech front, TriLink BioTechnologies has announced the opening of a new cGMP mRNA manufacturing facility designed to support late-phase drug developers from Phase 2 to commercialization. The 32,000-square-foot facility, located in San Diego’s Sorrento Valley, is equipped with individual Grade C cleanroom suites for mRNA manufacturing, increased capacity for large-scale mRNA production, and comprehensive in-house analytical services.
Kevin Lynch, Vice President & General Manager of TriLink’s GMP Operations, emphasized the facility’s impact, stating, "The high-quality manufacture of mRNA drug substances is critical to ensuring the safety and efficacy of this new class of medicines for patients." The facility’s launch reflects TriLink’s extensive experience and commitment to advancing mRNA technology, including its CleanCap® mRNA capping technology, which has been instrumental in the production of approved COVID-19 mRNA and saRNA vaccines.
Kalmbach Feeds, a prominent name in the animal nutrition industry, is set to broaden its horizons with the construction of a new manufacturing plant in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. The new facility, named after Ruth Elizabeth Kalmbach (REK), mirrors the operational capabilities of their Carey, Ohio plant, including grain and ingredient receiving and storage, as well as grinding, mixing, pelleting, and finished feed loadout. The initial phase features a 180,000-bushel corn bin and impressive 12,000 bushel per hour unloading capabilities, with plans for future expansion.
The expansion is a collaborative effort, receiving grant funding for infrastructure improvements and new electric power delivery systems. “We are thankful to all of those who are working together to make this project a success, and eager to bring this new manufacturing plant to Upper Sandusky, creating jobs and a hopeful future for the community and surrounding areas,” said an executive from Kalmbach Feeds.
BBP, a Louisiana-based automation solutions manufacturer, has announced an expansion of its Baton Rouge headquarters. The company is constructing a new facility to meet the increasing demand for its products, representing a $4.2 million investment. This strategic move is expected to generate 75 direct new jobs over the next decade, in addition to retaining 51 current positions. The state-of-the-art facility will enhance BBP’s production capacity and feature advanced technologies such as automated valve assembly work cells and a sensor assembly area.
BBP President Scott Romero expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “This strategic initiative marks a significant milestone for our company as we aim to enhance our capabilities and better serve our customers.” The expansion underscores BBP’s commitment to the region and its role in bolstering Louisiana’s economy. With construction already underway, the new facility is anticipated to be operational by the end of June and completed by year’s end34.
Heading over to Texas, Eastman has announced the construction of a new molecular recycling facility in Longview, Texas, marking a significant step forward in the company’s commitment to the circular economy. The facility, which represents an investment that includes operations to prepare mixed plastic waste for processing, Eastman’s next-generation molecular recycling unit to depolymerize waste, and a polymer facility to create virgin-quality materials, is expected to bring over 200 full-time, high-paying jobs to the community. The facility will have the capacity to recycle approximately 110,000 metric tons of hard-to-recycle plastic waste.
“We are excited to build our second U.S. world-scale molecular recycling facility at our existing site in Texas,” said Mark Costa, Eastman Board Chair and CEO. "The plant will remove significant waste from the region, enable true circularity and set a new benchmark for decarbonization."
Meanwhile, Greif, Inc., a global industrial packaging leader, is nearing the completion of their advanced bulk corrugated manufacturing facility in Dallas, Texas. Set to open this spring, the new plant represents a significant boost to Greif’s production capabilities, particularly in the bulk corrugated sector. The new plant will focus on producing triple wall sheets and jumbo boxes, primarily serving the industrial and agricultural sectors.
Chris Zimmerman, Vice President – Containerboard & Corrugated Sales, expressed his enthusiasm for the new establishment: "We have formed an excellent team who have worked extremely hard to get this state-of-the-art facility up and running. Equipped with highly automated machinery, this facility will enable us to respond swiftly to customer demands while maintaining superior lead times and product quality."
And in more news for the Lone Star State, Crystal Window and Door Systems TX, LTD., a subsidiary of Crystal Window and Door Systems, LTD., has announced the construction of an advanced manufacturing facility and regional corporate headquarters in Mansfield, Texas. The project represents a significant investment of more than $121 million and is expected to generate 504 new jobs. The new facility will produce quality, energy-efficient vinyl and aluminum windows and high-end fenestration systems, contributing to the company’s national manufacturing capabilities.
Thomas Chen, Chairman and Founder of Crystal, expressed his enthusiasm for the expansion, stating, "I started this company in 1990 with a small commercial operation in New York City, and with focus, determination, and a lot of hard work with dedicated employees, Crystal is now a national manufacturer with five major production facilities across the country."
Wearable tech leader Ultrahuman has announced plans to open its first US manufacturing facility, the UltraFactory, located in Indiana. This move aims to boost production capacity of their smart rings, the first to be manufactured in the United States.
Ultrahuman positions the UltraFactory as "the launchpad for its next phase of growth" according to a press release. The facility leverages their existing operational model and is expected to open within the next six months. This announcement comes alongside news of a $35 million funding round, further supporting Ultrahuman's goal of becoming the smart ring market leader within the next 15 months.
Elevate™, a leading manufacturer of roofing, wall, and lining systems, has announced the grand opening of its new production and distribution facility in Salt Lake City. This expansion is part of a series of capital investments following Elevate’s acquisition by Holcim in 2021. The facility, which is LEED-certified green, showcases the use of materials from both Holcim and Elevate’s portfolio in its construction and design. It is poised to triple the production capacity of Elevate ISOGARD™ polyiso insulation in the region and introduces a new production line for Elevate UNA-CLAD™ metal products.
Kristin Beck, President of Elevate Commercial Roofing Systems & Lining, expressed her enthusiasm for the new plant, stating, "The opening of this new facility is an exciting milestone as we continue to grow and focus on our valued customers, as well as a testament to the capabilities of our high-performing, innovative and sustainable products."
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