Oerlikon to invest 55mln CHF in US plant

The Swiss manufacturer Oerlikon Metco plans to spend $62 million (CHF55 mln) to open a facility in Huntersville, North Carolina, US, where it will create 93 high-paying jobs over the next five years.

The new plant will specialize in end-to-end advanced component manufacturing, and it will also house research and development work, according to a statement from the company Monday.

Oerlikon’s Charlotte plant will be its first additive manufacturing facility in the U.S. and will provide end-to-end advanced component manufacturing and house extensive research and development and production teams.

The local expansion is possible because of a $1 million performance-based incentive from the state’s One North Carolina Fund. To receive the funds, companies must meet job creation and capital investment targets. The One NC grants also require a local government match.

“This investment in North Carolina marks an important step in our plans to become a leading service provider for the fast-expanding additive manufacturing market,” said Roland Fischer, Oerlikon CEO.

The Swiss group has a global footprint of more than 13,500 employees at more than 170 locations in 37 countries.