Spanning multiple states and representing billions in investment, U.S. manufacturers announced numerous new projects in the month of March, bringing continued innovation to the U.S. electric vehicle industry, as well as the food and beverage, construction materials, tool fabrication, and wood products sectors.
Let’s explore some of the most exciting new manufacturing operations announced in March 2023.
Volkswagen’s Scout Motors has selected South Carolina as its new production site and plans to create 4,000 jobs. The company will invest $1.5 billion to produce electric vehicles in the Upstate region of South Carolina. In addition, Scout plans to establish a research and development center in the state.
Scout Motors is planning to build Scout trucks and rugged SUVs on a newly designed all-electric platform. The platform will deliver credible capability and off-road prowess. The company’s internal engineering will focus on attributes such as ground clearance, approach angles, robust axles, payload capacity, all-electric range and new digital features.
“We’re honored to partner with South Carolina to usher in this new era for Scout,” said President and CEO of Scout Motors Scott Keogh. “Scout has been an American icon since introducing an SUV in 1960. It's the vehicle that took your family on a camping trip, that gave access to the great outdoors, and that showed up on the job site every morning. Today, we’re reimagining Scout’s original ingenuity and electrifying its future. We’re bringing the Scout spirit to South Carolina and it's going to be a hell of a ride.”
In another win for the state of South Carolina, TIME Bicycles announced plans to open the largest carbon fiber bicycle manufacturing facility in the U.S., acquiring a 140,000 square-foot factory in Landrum, South Carolina. TIME’s proprietary carbon manufacturing techniques borrow from aerospace, elite motorsports, and the automotive industry. By 2024, they will begin manufacturing their carbon fiber bikes there.
"This is a huge moment for the cycling industry," Time CEO Tony Karklins told Bicycle Retailer and Industry News (BRAIN). "This is what everybody needs to be doing right now. This is what people have been doing for the last three years in Europe. It makes complete sense to do it. And the moment's now. It's not getting easier to do business far away. So we're really happy to be one of the leaders in this on the U.S. side."
Epsilon Industries, a manufacturer of modular construction systems based in Canada, plans to establish operations in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The approximately $3 million project is expected to create 180 jobs
“We are excited to be a part of the Tuscaloosa community,” said Chris Wiederick, president of Epsilon Industries. “We will be hosting many of our top clientele at our facility, and we feel that Tuscaloosa offers a convenient location with direct access to the airport, as well as a welcoming and entertaining environment.”
Dr. Marty Pets has opened a new sustainable production facility in Richfield, Wisconsin. The facility will be run under Dr. Marty Pets’ affiliate, Golden Hippo. The new facility will produce roughly 140 new jobs.
Dr. Marty Pets is a company that provides high-quality, health-supporting pet formulas. The company was created by Dr. Marty Goldstein, a leader in the field of veterinary medicine for more than 45 years.
"This gives us the opportunity to trace raw ingredients, improve upon our already high-quality control and create a better sustainability story for our food products," says Head of Retail for Dr. Marty Pets, Dan Markenson. "Our retail partners are excited about our ability to continue our great level of service as we rapidly grow our business with them."
Meanwhile, Actylis has opened a new, 30,000 square-foot cGMP facility in Eugene, Oregon to expand its innovative API manufacturing capabilities. Actylis supplies critical raw materials for the life sciences and specialty chemicals markets, and the new plant will allow Actylis to increase its production capacity and provide its customers with high-quality APIs. The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and equipment to ensure that the APIs produced meet the highest quality standards.
Gilles Cottier, Chief Executive Officer of Actylis, said: “Today we are delighted to announce that this purpose-built 30,000ft2 facility has commenced operations, allowing us to develop and manufacture GMP APIs and Pharma intermediates from clinical trial to commercial volumes.”
Bonumose has opened a new manufacturing facility in Charlottesville, VA, dedicated to the production of tagatose, a sweet prebiotic sugar alternative. The facility will make tagatose accessible to all and will be used in a variety of food and beverage products.
"Opening this new facility is an important milestone on the road to bringing the benefits of tagatose to the public," said Ed Rogers, CEO of Bonumose. "More so than any other alternative to sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, we believe tagatose can enable better-for-you foods that are on parity for palatability and price with consumer favorites."
Meanwhile in Utah, Lakanto has opened a new manufacturing plant in Orem, with plans to manufacture a sugar substitute made from monkfruit. The new 127,000 square-foot facility will allow Lakanto to increase its production capacity and provide its customers with high-quality products.
And in other sweet news, Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) has announced plans to build a new ice cream manufacturing facility in St. Charles, Illinois. This will be Tillamook’s first manufacturing site outside of Oregon and will help the company meet growing demand for its award-winning ice cream products across the country.
In an effort to meet growing demand for corrugated boxes, WestRock has broken ground on a new corrugated box plant in Longview, Washington. The new building will host a WestRock corrugated manufacturing operation which will create approximately 40 jobs when production begins in the fall of 2023.
“This new packaging plant will enable our team in the region to serve customers even better in the future, with a manufacturing facility that will provide new capabilities and efficiencies,” said David B. Sewell, chief executive officer of WestRock. “We are pleased to invest in a local community that is vibrant and growing.”
G&S Foods, a private label snack food supplier, has broken ground on a new manufacturing facility in Hanover, Pennsylvania. The 348,000-square foot facility will replace the company’s current manufacturing facility in Abbottstown, Pennsylvania and will produce both its classic offerings like pretzels and popcorn as well as healthier, trendy items.
TRUMPF Inc. has announced an expansion of its local manufacture and sheet metal assembly of fabricating machine tools in Farmington, Connecticut. The expansion will include a Smart Factory that demonstrates advanced automated and connected precision sheet metal production. The Smart Factory will be used to manufacture TRUMPF Inc. laser cutting, bending and welding machinery. The company will invest an estimated $40 million into the project which is expected to be completed by 2025.
“North America remains the most important business market for us outside of our domestic market in Germany. We are pleased to emphasize this importance with today’s investment,” said Nicola Leibinger-Kammüller, CEO of the TRUMPF Group.
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