In August, the semiconductor and life sciences sectors drove the investment story, anchored by the Terafab announcement and a wave of pharmaceutical manufacturing commitments. September brought the story back to the physical fundamentals of American industry. The month's most striking pattern was a surge in electrical infrastructure manufacturing, with three separate major investments in transformers, enclosures, and high-voltage cable announced across three states as demand from AI data centers, grid modernization, and industrial electrification continued to pressure domestic supply chains. Louisville, Kentucky produced one of the month's most unusual footnotes: two separate $1 billion manufacturing investments, from two different companies, announced in the same city within ten days of each other. And North Carolina, already the destination of a remarkable concentration of life sciences expansion this year, added two more major announcements in a single month.
Spanning more than a dozen states and representing billions in combined investment, here are the latest new plants and expansions announced across the U.S. in September 2026.
Automotive, Appliances, And Consumer Products Manufacturing
GE Appliances And IUE-CWA Announce $1 Billion Expansion At Louisville’s Appliance Park
GE Appliances, a Haier company, and the IUE-CWA announced on September 2 a $1 billion investment to expand high-output laundry manufacturing at Appliance Park in Louisville, Kentucky, establishing the campus as America’s largest home appliance manufacturing site by production output, employment, and campus footprint. The investment includes more than $400 million to transform Building 5 into a high-output dryer manufacturing operation, bringing production from Mexico to Kentucky, approximately $112 million in Building 1 to add new equipment and redesign existing washer and dryer platforms, and a continuation of the previously announced $490 million investment in Building 2 to produce frontload washers and combo washer/dryers beginning in 2027. The project secures 4,700 existing production jobs at the campus, where GE Appliances has manufactured products since 1953.
Ford Invests $1 Billion In New Paint Shop At Its Kentucky Truck Plant
Ford announced on September 11 a $1 billion investment to build a new, state-of-the-art paint shop at the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Ford’s largest manufacturing facility and its highest-revenue plant in the United States. The Kentucky Truck Plant produces F-Series Super Duty pickups, Ford Expedition SUVs, and Lincoln Navigator SUVs, and turns out a vehicle every 45 seconds. The new paint shop will replace the plant’s existing facility, incorporating technology improvements designed to enhance paint quality while making production more efficient and environmentally sustainable. Construction is expected to begin by the end of 2026.
Jim Farley, Chief Executive Officer of Ford Motor Company, said, “For more than a century, Ford and Kentucky have grown together, and we’re investing to ensure that relationship remains strong for generations to come. These investments demonstrate our confidence in Kentucky’s workforce, our commitment to American manufacturing and our belief that the future of mobility and energy will be right here in the United States.”
Pirelli Announces $1.2 Billion Expansion Of Rome, Georgia Tire Manufacturing Campus
Governor Brian Kemp announced on September 22 that Pirelli will invest $1.2 billion to expand its U.S. headquarters and manufacturing facility in Rome, Georgia, in what the governor’s office described as one of the largest economic development investments in northwest Georgia history. The multi-year expansion will scale the facility’s annual production capacity to 6 million tires and create approximately 1,000 new jobs, nearly quintupling Pirelli’s Georgia workforce from its current 234 employees. The investment will take place in two phases beginning in 2027, starting with Pirelli’s latest Modular Integrated Robotized System technology, followed by a fully automated conventional production line. Pirelli has operated in Rome since 2002.
Claudio Zanardo, CEO of Pirelli North America, said, “The U.S. is one of Pirelli’s most important markets and offers significant opportunities for growth. The expansion of our Rome facility strengthens our ‘local for local’ strategy, increasing our manufacturing capacity in the U.S. while introducing the latest-generation technologies, such as the Cyber Tyre, and advanced robotics. This investment will allow us to better serve the needs of the local market, create new jobs, and further strengthen Pirelli’s presence in North America.”
Hansae Mobility Announces $93.2 Million Automotive Components Manufacturing Facility In Chesterfield Township, Michigan
Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced on September 15 that Hansae Mobility USA Manufacturing, a U.S. subsidiary of South Korean automotive components manufacturer Hansae Mobility Co., will invest more than $93.2 million to establish a new 400,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Chesterfield Township, Macomb County. The project will create 102 new jobs and retain 171 existing positions, consolidating the company’s final assembly activities and machining processes currently performed by Korean suppliers under one roof and insourcing production to the United States. Hansae Mobility specializes in driveline systems and other vehicle components for major global automotive manufacturers including Volkswagen and Stellantis.
Roy Kim, President of Hansae Mobility USA Manufacturing, said, “We are pleased to become part of the Chesterfield Township community and to expand Hansae Mobility’s manufacturing presence in Michigan. Building on nearly a decade of operations in the United States, this investment represents an important next step in our growth. By bringing expanded assembly and machining capabilities together, we will strengthen our ability to serve customers while creating meaningful career opportunities and building a long-term partnership with the region.”
Electrical Infrastructure And Energy Manufacturing
Eaton Announces $242 Million Electrical Enclosure Manufacturing Facility In North Little Rock, Arkansas
Eaton announced on September 2 an investment of more than $242 million to build a new manufacturing facility in North Little Rock, Arkansas, through its Fibrebond business, which manufactures customized modular electrical enclosures for data center, utility, industrial, and digital communications markets. The new 1-million-square-foot facility is expected to create more than 1,200 jobs and will double Eaton’s U.S. manufacturing capacity for modular electrical enclosures at a time when demand from AI data center buildout and grid expansion is accelerating. The investment builds on Fibrebond’s more than 40-year base of operations in Minden, Louisiana, where production capacity has already doubled over the past three years.
Mike Yelton, President of the Electrical Sector, Americas at Eaton, said, “Customers are looking for ways to deploy critical power infrastructure faster, with greater certainty and less complexity. This investment expands our ability to deliver custom modular electrical enclosures while strengthening our U.S. manufacturing capacity and skilled workforce. Building on the strong foundation we’ve established in Minden, Louisiana, this investment enables us to better support customers with the speed, scale and expertise they need to meet growing demand.”
Hitachi Energy Announces $528 Million Mississippi Transformer Factory In Gallman
Hitachi Energy announced on September 15 plans to build a new $528 million transformer manufacturing facility in Gallman, Mississippi, the company’s largest single investment in the United States to date and the cornerstone of a $1.5 billion U.S. manufacturing expansion program. The Gallman facility will be more than twice the size of Hitachi Energy’s existing Crystal Springs plant, approximately 6.5 miles away, and will more than double production capacity while creating over 700 jobs. Construction is expected to begin later in 2026, with transformer production targeted to start in 2029. The investment is part of Hitachi Energy’s broader commitment to U.S. grid infrastructure production alongside projects in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.
Andreas Schierenbeck, Chief Executive Officer of Hitachi Energy, said, “Demand for electricity is growing rapidly, and the grid must grow with it. This investment in Mississippi, our largest ever in the U.S., reflects our long-term commitment to American manufacturing and building the grid infrastructure that will help power America’s growth for decades to come.”
Okonite Company Announces $400 Million High-Voltage Cable Manufacturing Facility In Orangeburg, South Carolina
The Okonite Company, founded in 1878, announced on September 22 a $400 million investment to build a new approximately 552,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Orangeburg County, South Carolina, on the company’s existing property at 2276 Rowesville Road. The facility will produce high-voltage electric cable products to meet growing demand from the electric utility, oil and gas, railroad, and chemical industries, with construction expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026 and completion in two to three years. The expansion will create approximately 105 new jobs in Orangeburg and adds to Okonite’s two existing production facilities in the county.
David J. Sokira, CEO and Board Chairman of the Okonite Company, said, “We thank the South Carolina Department of Commerce, the Orangeburg County Development Commission and the city of Orangeburg for their invaluable help and prompt actions in making our expansion possible.”
Suniva Completes $835 Million Capital Raise To Build Second U.S. Solar Cell Manufacturing Facility In Laurens County, South Carolina
Suniva announced on September 8 the completion of an $835 million debt and equity capital raise to fund construction of a second major U.S. solar cell manufacturing facility in Laurens County, South Carolina, more than quadrupling its total domestic production capacity to 5.5 gigawatts. The new 4.5-gigawatt facility is housed in a 621,468-square-foot building whose shell is already complete, represents an approximately $600 million capital investment in the facility itself, and is expected to create 564 advanced manufacturing jobs with full production ramp targeted for 2028. The project adds to Suniva’s existing 1-gigawatt solar cell manufacturing facility in Norcross, Georgia.
Tony Etnyre, Chief Executive Officer of Suniva, said, “With our second state-of-the-art high-efficiency solar cell manufacturing facility, we expect to be able to meet the growing needs for a U.S.-based source. We appreciate the strong partnership with South Carolina and the Laurens County community as we rapidly scale to meet this rising demand and strengthen the domestic U.S. solar supply chain while Suniva continues leading the next era of American solar manufacturing.”
Life Sciences And Biomanufacturing
ABEC Opens New Biopharmaceutical Equipment Manufacturing Facility In Wilson, North Carolina
ABEC, a global manufacturer of equipment and consumables for biopharmaceutical manufacturing, announced on September 10 the grand opening of its newest production facility in Wilson, North Carolina, with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 24. The new site expands ABEC’s global manufacturing network and is strategically positioned in one of the country’s fastest-growing life sciences regions, producing bioprocess equipment, consumables, and integrated process solutions used in the development and manufacture of biologics, vaccines, and advanced medicines.
Scott Pickering, Chief Executive Officer of ABEC, said, “Opening our Wilson facility represents another important milestone in ABEC’s commitment to supporting the global biopharmaceutical industry. This investment expands our manufacturing capabilities, brings us closer to customers in the southeastern United States, and reinforces our ability to deliver the industry’s most comprehensive portfolio of bioprocess equipment, consumables, and engineering solutions. We are proud to become part of the Wilson community and look forward to building long-term partnerships throughout the region.”
Reckitt Announces Up To $600 Million Expansion Of Wilson, North Carolina OTC Manufacturing Facility
Reckitt announced on September 17 up to a $600 million multi-year transformation of its U.S. operations, including a significant expansion of its Wilson, North Carolina over-the-counter manufacturing facility and a new science and innovation center at its Nutley, New Jersey North American headquarters campus. The company has doubled its original investment in the Wilson plant, which is scheduled to open in the first half of 2027 and will become Reckitt’s largest U.S. factory for over-the-counter products. The expansion will add 234,000 square feet to the existing 310,000-square-foot facility and will increase production capacity for Mucinex tablets and liquids and Move Free products, with the company expecting to produce more than 80 percent of its Mucinex products in the United States once fully operational.
Jérôme Lemaire, President of Reckitt North America, said, “With a legacy dating to 1892, Reckitt has maintained a significant presence across the U.S. for more than a century. Our iconic brands including Lysol and Mucinex are trusted by millions of American families spanning generations. Today’s investments will continue building our scientific leadership and R&D, drive new innovations and expand our infrastructure allowing Reckitt to increase access for consumers to high-quality health products.”
SK Pharmteco Announces $200 Million Five-Year U.S. Manufacturing Expansion In Rancho Cordova, California
SK pharmteco announced on September 30 a comprehensive five-year, more than $200 million investment plan to expand and upgrade its U.S. development and manufacturing infrastructure at its Rancho Cordova, California campus, targeting growing demand for small molecule APIs and peptide-based medicines. The strategic initiative includes the launch of new development laboratories, the addition of GMP kilo-scale peptide purification capacity scheduled to be operational in late 2026, the construction of new manufacturing suites, and significant investment in utility and sustainability infrastructure. The multi-year program is projected to create 100 long-term, high-skilled jobs in California.
Joerg Ahlgrimm, Chief Executive Officer of SK pharmteco, said, “This commitment to our domestic operations marks a transformative milestone for SK pharmteco. By expanding our domestic capabilities across small molecules and peptides, we are directly addressing unprecedented demand from our broad customer base. Combined with our focus on green technology and modern infrastructure, we are ensuring our customers have a highly reliable, sustainable, and cutting-edge partner from early-stage development through full commercialization.”
Food And Beverage Manufacturing
Kikkoman Foods Opens Third U.S. Production Facility In Jefferson, Wisconsin With $560 Million Investment
Kikkoman Foods, Inc. celebrated the official grand opening of its newest production facility in Jefferson, Wisconsin on September 18, the company’s third U.S. manufacturing site and its first new production facility in the country in more than two decades. The 240,000-square-foot facility, part of a $560 million investment over ten years, is located within Jefferson’s Food and Beverage Innovation Campus and will produce soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, and non-soy sauce-related seasonings for retail, foodservice, and food manufacturing customers across North America. The plant incorporates advanced digital manufacturing tools enabling paperless operations and real-time data visualization, and is designed to help Kikkoman reduce CO2 emissions by more than 50 percent and water consumption per unit by more than 30 percent by 2030. The facility adds more than 80 new high-paying jobs in southeastern Wisconsin.
Yuzaburo Mogi, Director Chairman of the Board and Honorary CEO of Kikkoman Foods, Inc., said, “Our partnership with Wisconsin has long been central to our success, and Jefferson is the natural next chapter. This facility gives us proximity to key agricultural suppliers, access to high-quality water our brewing process demands, and a workforce rooted in the same values that have guided Kikkoman for generations. As global culinary influences continue to shape what people want on their tables, this facility also strengthens our ability to meet that evolving demand by bringing the depth and authenticity of international flavors to more people, faster.”
Schreiber Foods Announces New $267 Million Process Cheese Manufacturing Facility In Carthage, Missouri
Schreiber Foods announced on September 23 plans to build a new process cheese manufacturing facility in Carthage, Missouri, representing an investment of more than $267 million and the company’s second major manufacturing expansion in Carthage in two years. The project will create approximately 100 new jobs and is expected to begin operations in 2028, adding production capacity to serve growing customer demand across the retail, restaurant, and food manufacturing sectors. Schreiber has operated in Carthage since 1950 and currently employs more than 1,300 people at its existing facilities in the community.
Trevor Farrell, President of Schreiber Foods, said, “Our customers’ ambitions help shape where we invest and how we grow. This investment reflects our confidence in the future and our commitment to being ready for what’s next.”
King Technology Opens $17 Million Manufacturing And Distribution Center In St. Peters, Missouri
King Technology, a manufacturer of water sanitization and chemical delivery systems for hot tubs, swim spas, and pools, opened a new 208,000-square-foot manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution center in St. Peters, Missouri on September 29, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local and regional officials. The company is investing at least $17 million in the facility, located at the Lakeside Logistics Center, which is expected to employ up to 40 workers over the next three years. The new center will enable King Technology to provide more efficient service to hundreds of distributors and dealers across the United States.
Industrial And Specialty Manufacturing
Enstrom Mold And Engineering Opens New 11,000-Square-Foot Injection Molding Facility In San Marcos, California
Enstrom Mold and Engineering Inc. announced the opening of a new 11,000-square-foot plastic injection molding facility at 245 Trade Street in San Marcos, California, directly adjacent to its existing 11,000-square-foot mold design and manufacturing facility at 235 Trade Street. The expansion doubles the company’s total production footprint and brings its total complement of injection molding presses to 20, spanning clamp tonnages from 28 to 300 tons with shot sizes ranging from 40 to 500 grams. With mold design and fabrication at the original facility and molding and assembly at the new building next door, Enstrom now operates a fully vertically integrated, Made in the USA production system under one campus, giving customers direct visibility into every stage of production from concept to finished part. Both facilities are ISO 9001-2015 certified.
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