After scouting through several southern states, the Turbotec site evaluation team chose Hickory, N.C., as the best match to host the 20,000-square-foot expansion at an existing facility for its manufacturing operations.
“Considering the extensive multi-state site selection process executed by Turbotec, we are pleased they decided to locate in Hickory and Catawba County,” said Kitty Barnes, chair of the Catawaba County Board of Commissioners.
Operation of the facility is slated to begin January 2009, initially employing about 25 workers, mainly in manufacturing production. Like the Windsor, Conn., facility, the Hickory operation will institute lean manufacturing and Six Sigma strategies in its manufacturing processes.
“We are excited to begin our operations in North Carolina, and we feel the workforce available to Turbotec will provide us with the talent required for the realization of our future growth plans,” said Sunil Raina, president of Turbotec. “The new location provides Turbotec with the opportunity to better serve our growing customer base, especially in the South. The lower-cost business environment was also a critical part of our decision-making process.”
“We believe this is our year and the coming years will be our years for economic development in Hickory and Catawba County,” said Hickory Mayor Rudy Wright. “Over the last few years we have been patient throughout the economic downturn, and at the same time been tenacious in our economic development efforts, reduced the tax rate and have done other things that make a cost effective place to do business. We also have remained committed to maintaining the quality of life that makes this a great place to live and we congratulate and welcome Turbotec and we look forward to their success and growth in Hickory and Catawba County.”
Turbotec, a leader in enhanced heat transfer technology, manufactures a diverse range of high performance heat exchangers for virtually any space conditioning or refrigeration application in the biomedical, geothermal, water heating and heat pump markets. Turbotec tubing offers dramatic increases in heat transfer efficiency- providing up to 4 times the efficiency of smooth tubing and can be shaped into virtually any space saving configuration.
