It was “back to school” for the U.S. manufacturing sector in September, with major new operations announced across multiple industries. From investments in aerospace and renewable energy to advancements in clean technology, not to mention the nation’s first high-speed rail production facility, the initiatives reflect a strong commitment to innovation and growth. Spanning ten states and representing billions in investment and thousands of jobs, let’s explore some the most exciting new endeavors announced in September.
Siemens Mobility has announced plans to build North America’s first high-speed rail production facility in Horseheads, New York. This $60 million investment will create approximately 300 jobs at a nearly 300,000 square foot facility. The plant will manufacture the American Pioneer 220 trainsets for Brightline West, which will operate on the Las Vegas to Southern California line. Production is expected to begin in 2026.
“This is an exciting time not only for us at Siemens Mobility, but for the rail industry as a whole,” said Michael Peter, CEO Siemens Mobility. “This new facility in Horseheads, New York, marks the beginning of a brand-new industry in the USA – bringing both high-speed rail production and some of the world’s most modern trains to the continent for the first time.
NanoGraf has been awarded a $60 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to build one of the world’s largest silicon anode battery material factories in Flint, Michigan.
The combined $175 million project will retrofit an existing facility to produce 2,500 tons of silicon anode material annually, supporting up to 1.5 million electric vehicles per year. This expansion increases NanoGraf’s manufacturing footprint to over 414,000 square feet. “As a U.S.-based and U.S.-founded company, we’re committed to strengthening the domestic battery supply chain—and this factory is a big step forward,” said Francis Wang, CEO of NanoGraf.
Pebble, the California startup known for its all-electric recreational vehicle, the Pebble Flow, has officially opened a new 60,000-square-foot headquarters and manufacturing facility in Fremont, CA. This strategic move is a significant milestone in Pebble’s mission to redefine the RVing experience, featuring a state-of-the-art 45 kWh lithium-ion battery and advanced automation capabilities powered by the NVIDIA DRIVE Orin platform. The facility will create up to 100 high-tech jobs in clean energy within the first year, encompassing roles in engineering, production, operations, and quality assurance.
Greg Zanghi, Pebble’s Head of Manufacturing and Service Operations, emphasized the importance of this development, stating, “Opening our combined headquarters, R&D and manufacturing facility in Fremont is a huge step forward in bringing the Pebble Flow to market.”
Novartis has commenced construction on two new radioligand therapy (RLT) manufacturing facilities in the United States, enhancing its capacity to produce critical cancer treatments. The company is investing over $200 million in these projects, which include a new facility at its Indianapolis site for producing radioisotopes and a third RLT manufacturing site in Carlsbad, California. These expansions aim to support the growing demand for RLTs, which target cancer cells with precision while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. “Building on this experience and knowledge, we are confident in the potential of RLTs to meaningfully benefit many more patients affected by different types of cancer in the future,” said Victor Bultó, President, US, Novartis.
Global health and nutrition company Reckitt, has announced plans to establish a major production facility in Wilson County, North Carolina, dedicated to the manufacturing of Mucinex, an over-the-counter medicine. This significant investment amounts to $145.59 million and is expected to create 289 jobs in the region, bolstering the local economy and enhancing the production capabilities of essential health products.
“With its prominence as a life science innovation hub, North Carolina is an ideal place for Reckitt to establish its U.S. regional manufacturing center,” said Kris Licht, CEO of Reckitt. “This strategic, onshoring investment will build resiliency and agility in our supply chain and further drives our mission to create a healthier world by increasing access to important medicines.”
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Chomps, the fastest-growing snack and food brand in the U.S., has announced plans to open a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Mexico, Missouri, in 2025. This facility, spanning 300,000 square feet, will be one of the largest for the Chomps brand and is expected to create approximately 250 full-time jobs. The new facility will support Chomps’ rapid growth and meet the increasing consumer demand for better-for-you meat snacks.
“This new manufacturing facility is a significant milestone for Chomps as it will allow us to scale our production to meet the surging demand for our products,” said Pete Maldonado, Chomps’ Co-Founder and Co-CEO. The facility will be custom-built to meet Chomps’ specific needs and will enhance the company’s ability to support its nationwide growth across retail, e-commerce, and alternative channels.
S&C Electric Company has officially opened its new 275,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Palatine, Illinois, as of September 11, 2024. This expansion aims to meet the growing North American demand for grid-resilience technologies and is expected to create approximately 200 production and engineering jobs. The facility will enhance S&C’s capacity to produce advanced solutions for a more resilient and reliable electrical grid.
S&C Electric Company has several manufacturing facilities across the United States. In addition to their newly opened plant in Palatine, Illinois, they have facilities in Chicago, Illinois; Franklin, Wisconsin; West Palm Beach, Florida; Phoenix, Arizona; Rockville, Maryland; and Dallas, Texas.
“Chicago has been home to S&C for over 110 years, and the talent here is an essential part of our growth and success. This expansion strengthens our commitment to U.S. manufacturing and the Chicagoland area, allowing us to better serve customers with solutions that advance a resilient, intelligent electrical grid,” said Anders Sjoelin, S&C’s president and CEO.
Supporting the notion that everything is bigger in Texas, Big Ass Fans, the leading producer of giant High-Volume Low Speed (HVLS) fans, has opened a new 210,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas. This state-of-the-art facility, which officially opened on August 28, 2024, is expected to create 100 local jobs, with potential for future growth. The new plant will enhance production capacity and support the company’s expansion in its largest market.
“What’s most exciting to me about the new site is that it will benefit our customers, our supplier partners, our employees, and the local economy,” said Ken Walma, CEO of Big Ass Fans. The facility’s strategic location near major distribution hubs will enable the company to better serve its customers across Texas and the region.
Curious how Big Ass Fans got its name? The company started 25 years ago as HVLS Fan Co., supplying large fans primarily to dairy farms. Research showed that cooler cows produce more milk, and the fans helped boost production. As word spread and HVLS expanded into factories and other industries, customers would often ask, "Are you the ones who make those big ass fans?" – and the new name stuck. Today, Big Ass Fans is an iconic brand with industry-leading products, a beloved mascot named Fanny, and a loyal fan base known as "raving fans" around the globe.
Governor Jim Justice has announced a significant $35 million investment from Prime 6, a leader in sustainable wood products, to establish a new manufacturing facility in Buckhannon, West Virginia. This initiative is expected to create 75 jobs in the region, contributing positively to the local economy. Governor Justice expressed pride in welcoming Prime 6, highlighting the company’s commitment to sustainability and its alignment with West Virginia’s rich history in the wood industry.
Mitch Carmichael, Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, stated, “We are excited to welcome Prime 6 to West Virginia. Their commitment to sustainability and community aligns perfectly with our state’s values.” The new facility is set to begin operations in the coming months, promising to enhance the local economy and provide good-paying jobs to the community.
Aerospacelab has opened a new 35,000-square-foot satellite manufacturing facility in Torrance, California, marking a significant expansion of its U.S. operations. In true California fashion, where innovation thrives, this state-of-the-art facility, which officially opened on September 5, 2024, is set to produce an average of two satellites per week. The new plant will support the growing demands of the global aerospace market and create numerous local jobs.
“Now more than ever, there is a need for mission-ready satellite systems to meet today’s complex global challenges. The Aerospacelab facility in greater Los Angeles will boost the local aerospace industry and meet the demands of the U.S. government and military,” said Tina Ghataore, CEO of Aerospacelab, Inc. The facility will also enable Aerospacelab to ramp up satellite bus production and conduct full builds and satellite operations for U.S. customers.
Ice Industries has announced the opening of a new 150,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Lacassine, Louisiana, dedicated to producing roll-formed steel back rails for photovoltaic (PV) solar panels. This $6 million investment is expected to create 70 new jobs, with production set to begin in early 2025. The facility will support First Solar, Inc.'s manufacturing operations in New Iberia, Louisiana, starting in the second half of 2025.
“Following the successful collaboration with First Solar that resulted in the founding of Ice Industries Bowling Green, we are excited to further develop our partnership with an American company that is a global industry leader in the production of PV panels,” said Howard Ice, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Ice Industries. The new facility will enhance Ice Industries’ capacity to meet the growing demand for solar energy components and contribute to the local economy.
Governor Glenn Youngkin has announced that CNX Resources will open a new regional headquarters and manufacturing facility in Richlands, Virginia. This $16 million investment will create 52 new jobs and expand CNX’s capacity to produce advanced energy solutions. The facility will enhance the company’s ability to meet the growing demand for clean energy technologies.
“CNX Resources’ decision to expand in Virginia underscores our commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment that supports innovation and job creation,” said Governor Youngkin. The new facility will play a crucial role in advancing Virginia’s leadership in the energy sector and contributing to the local economy.
Saab has announced plans to build a new munitions facility in Grayling, Michigan, with groundbreaking set for the fourth quarter of 2024. This facility will focus on the final assembly and integration of shoulder-fired munitions and precision fire systems, significantly enhancing U.S. munitions production capacity. The investment will create approximately 70 high-quality jobs, contributing to the local economy and strengthening national defense capabilities.
Erik Smith, President and CEO of Saab in the U.S., stated, “Given current global security challenges, it is critical the United States strengthens its national defense capacity. Saab is proud to partner with the state of Michigan and the local community to establish a world-class facility.” Initial manufacturing operations are expected to commence in early 2026, marking a significant expansion of Saab’s presence in the U.S. defense sector.
Vertiv has announced the opening of a new manufacturing facility in Pelzer, South Carolina, aimed at enhancing its infrastructure solutions production capacity. This investment will create approximately 300 jobs, significantly benefiting the local economy. The facility will focus on manufacturing critical technologies for data centers and communication networks.
Our global infrastructure solutions business is strong and growing, as the demand for AI accelerates and our customers see the value of an integrated approach to support faster compute deployment,” said Vertiv CEO Giordano (Gio) Albertazzi.
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