Catawba County Diversifies From Manufacturing Base
Published Jul 03, 2008
Vanguard Furniture is among longtime manufacturers that are finding new ways to stay competitive.
When the Getrag Corp. purchased a building from the Hooker Furniture company, it was more than just another corporate transaction. It symbolized a manufacturing transformation ongoing in Catawba County.
Historically, two major industries – textiles and furniture making – had driven Catawba County’s manufacturing economy. But economic forces have taken many of the manufacturers away from North Carolina to other parts of the globe, while a more diversified industry has sprouted in its place.
Getrag, a German-owned company, has been making rear axles and power takeoff units for Chrysler and General Motors at its Newton facility since 1986.
In 2005, increased demand from GM necessitated a second assembly facility. Fortunately, just as Getrag was in the market for a second facility, the neighboring Hooker Furniture facility was putting up a “for sale” sign.
“It fit our timing,” says Dan Jaworsky, senior manager at the Newton facility.
Within a few months, Getrag refurbished the inside of the old furniture plant, constructed two assembly lines and more than doubled its workforce. The new plant is only 300 yards from the company’s existing facility, allowing easy transport of materials between the two facilities.
The addition reconfirmed Getrag’s commitment to the area. But they’re not the only company demonstrating its satisfaction with the manufacturing environment in Catawba County.
Fellow automotive supplier ZF Lemforder, a division of Germany’s ZF Group, recently completed construction of a 150,000-square-foot facility in Newton. The plant is dedicated to the manufacture of chassis components for BMW, Chevrolet and Jaguar.
ZF Lemforder came to Newton from South Carolina, where it had outgrown a general framing facility and had no room to expand. After an exhaustive 18-month search that covered every state east of the Mississippi River, plus Canada and Mexico, the company chose Catawba County.
ZF Lemforder’s decision was based on “an educated workforce and easy access to distribution,” says Frank Buscemi, manager of public affairs for ZF Group’s North American operations.
Thus far, the company is quite satisfied with its decision.
“The important thing for a supplier is that cars we are providing product for are all doing well,” Buscemi says.
Not all of the recent activity involves automotive work. In 2006, Flowers Baking Co. invested close to $50 million to construct a new bakery to serve the Piedmont and Mid-Atlantic region. The company employs 97 full-time employees and 96 more leased and temporary employees, producing 2.3 million pounds of buns and bread weekly at its 250,000-square-foot Newton facility.
As with ZF Lemforder, the community’s proficient workforce and easy access to three major interstates were key factors in the choice to locate in Catawba County. Also attractive was the business-friendly atmosphere in the community.
“Everyone we’ve worked with has been professional, prompt and efficient, and the responsiveness of city and county officials has been great,” says Dale Mull, president of Flowers Baking Co. of Newton.
That’s precisely the goal of Scott Millar, president of the Catawba County Economic Development Corp. The CCEDC works hand in hand with the Chamber of Commerce and local governments to attract these kinds of employers to the community.
“In general, there’s a lot of fear of where all of our manufacturing is going, like to China,” Millar says. “But there is still all sorts of expansion activity going on here.”
Story by Dan Markham
Photo by Ian Curcio
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