ORANGE COUNTY & NORTH CAROLINA SUCCESSFULLY WIN MAJOR MANUFACTURING EXPANSION OF EXISTING COMPANY, ADDING SIGNIFICANT NEW JOBS TO COUNTY

ORANGE COUNTY, NC (July 10, 2019) —The Orange County Board of Commissioners, County Manager’s Office and the Economic Development Department are announcing the successful expansion of the current ABB, Inc. manufacturing facility located in Mebane, NC, contingent upon local incentive approvals.
 
The Swiss-Swedish multinational company has selected their existing Orange County location to consolidate a significant portion of ABB’s Distribution Services portfolio of products into one U. S. hub.  ABB acquired the former GE Industrial Solutions’ 400,000 sq. ft. facility in June 2018 to strengthen its position in electrification globally and expand their access to the North American market.  This operation currently employs a workforce of over 500 individuals who assemble highly sophisticated electrical components.  Over the next five years, the company will invest up to $39.9 million to build a new, state-of-the-art 200,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility, and create 403 new jobs that will provide health and retirement benefits.  These new positions will offer highly competitive salaries that are expected to average $70,789.00 a year.
 
“We are excited to see ABB continue to grow and invest in their operations here in Orange County,” said Board of Commissioners Chair Penny Rich. “As one of our largest manufacturing operations, we look forward to the excellent new employment opportunities this corporate expansion will bring to the residents of our community.”
 
The State of North Carolina, to include Governor Cooper’s office and the North Carolina Department of Commerce, were key players in securing the expansion commitment from ABB.  In addition, the City of Mebane has partnered with Orange County to support the growth of the Company, which is part of the County’s overall vision to develop the Buckhorn Economic Development District.  The project recruitment also included close assistance provided by the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and ABB’s site selection consultant Deloitte.
 
Orange County recognizes the State’s role in winning this expansion, specifically Governor Roy Cooper, N. C. Department of Commerce Secretary Tony Copeland, and the NC Community Colleges System, and appreciates their support of our community.
 
“A comprehensive set of incentive offers were used to encourage ABB, Inc. to bring the expansion to Orange County, including performance grants from the County and City of Mebane, State of N.C. incentives, and technical training assistance of ABB’s new employees through the North Carolina Community Colleges System,” said Orange County Manager Bonnie Hammersley.  “ABB’s decision to select Orange County is contingent upon the successful negotiation of these items with the State, County and City of Mebane.  I am personally delighted to see this exciting new development.” 
 
The County’s proposed performance-based incentives to ABB, Inc. will be discussed and voted on at a Public Hearing of the County Commissioners, scheduled for July 23, 2019.
 
About ABB, Inc.
ABB, Inc. is a pioneering technology leader with a comprehensive offering for digital industries. With a history of innovation spanning more than 130 years, ABB is today a leader in digital industries with four customer-focused, globally leading businesses: Electrification, Industrial Automation, Motion, and Robotics & Discrete Automation, supported by its common ABB Ability™ digital platform. ABB's market-leading Power Grids business will be divested to Hitachi in 2020. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 147,000 employees. ABB employs over 3000 across North Carolina, more than in any other state.
  

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