Goldhofer Inc. Sets Sights on North Carolina for First North American Facility
A leading global manufacturer, Goldhofer Inc., has chosen Hickory, North Carolina, as the home for its maiden North American assembly and production facility. The announcement, made by Governor Josh Stein, marks a significant step for the German-based company in expanding its manufacturing footprint in the United States.
“We are delighted to welcome Goldhofer to Catawba County,” said Governor Josh Stein. “North Carolina has more advanced manufacturing talent than any other state in the Southeast, offering global companies a skilled workforce, a strong ecosystem for innovation, and a great business climate for growth.”
Goldhofer Inc., with a rich history dating back to 1705, formally established in 1946, has evolved into a prominent name in the heavy transport and airport ground support equipment industry. The company, headquartered in Memmingen, Germany, employs around 1,000 people worldwide and boasts annual sales exceeding $350 million. Its offerings include heavy-duty trailers and advanced airport technology products like towbarless aircraft tractors, utilized by major airlines globally.
Construction of Goldhofer’s new facility will commence at Trivium Corporate Center, featuring an initial 80,000-square-foot production hall. This strategic move is expected to create 80 new jobs in Catawba County, potentially contributing more than $4.7 million annually to the regional payroll.
“When we thought about where Goldhofer needs to grow in North America, North Carolina kept rising to the top. Skilled people, solid infrastructure, and a business environment that supports manufacturing. We’re committing to the US for the long haul, and Hickory is where we will start the next chapter,” said David Weinmann, CEO of Goldhofer Inc.
North Carolina’s commitment to workforce development, shared by its numerous German corporate partners, underscores its appeal as a hub for international business growth. “German companies and North Carolina share a commitment to workforce development,” stated N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “Combined with our East Coast location and our exceptional quality of life, our continued investments in talent and innovation position North Carolina to attract and grow foreign investment for years to come.”
This expansion is supported by a performance-based grant of $200,000 from the One North Carolina Fund, designed to assist local governments in attracting economic investments and job creation. Companies benefiting from these grants must achieve specific job creation and capital investment goals to qualify for funds, which are dependent on matching local government participation.
“This is an outstanding win for Catawba County and the entire state of North Carolina,” expressed N.C. Senator Mark Hollo. “Goldhofer will be in great company in Hickory and will join a stellar corporate community that is poised to support them for many years to come.”
The collaboration to bring Goldhofer to North Carolina involved multiple partners, including the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the North Carolina General Assembly, Commerce’s Division of Workforce Solutions, the North Carolina Community College System, Catawba Valley Community College, Catawba County, Catawba County Economic Development Corporation, and the City of Hickory.
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