HSP US LLC, the American arm of the German-based company Trench Group GmbH, is setting up its first stateside manufacturing facility in Charlotte, North Carolina. They're dropping a cool $50 million over the next five years into this plant, with the doors expected to start swinging in early 2026. We're talking 74 gigs up for grabs, manufacturing bushings for high-voltage power transformers – vital stuff for the energy grid. According to a statement obtained by the City of Charlotte, Dr. Bahadir Basdere, CEO of the parent Trench Group, is pumped about reinforcing their North American market presence.
Charlotte ticked all the right boxes for HSP US with its mix of skilled workers in electric and engineering and a business-friendly climate. Dr. Nils von Dietman, HSP US's CEO, made a nod to Charlotte's skilled labor force and mentioned the strategic proximity to customers. Dropping in next to Siemens Energy's new digs, the plant is looking to pump out positions that pay more than the usual rate around these parts – machinists, engineers, managers with an average salary sitting pretty at $77,315.
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles is greeting HSP US with open arms, touting the benefits the high-tech facility will bring to Charlotte's energy hub status and its job market. Meanwhile, over at Mecklenburg County, the Board of County Commissioners Chair, thanks to Mark Jerrell, is ready to flex the local workforce muscle that helped pull HSP US into the region. And from the big-picture standpoint, Christopher Chung, CEO of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, is stoked about the foreign investment flow into the state, saying it's all thanks to North Carolina's prime business weather and manufacturing workforce.
This play came together with a team effort from the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and Duke Energy. With roles starting to fill up come fall, there's talk between HSP and Central Piedmont Community College about crafting a tailored workforce training and apprenticeship program. In light of Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, Central Piedmont's president, the goal is to sew a strong talent pipeline that benefits the region's overall muscle and innovation game.
To finish off, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg spread is already hosting more than 1,000 foreign-owned outfits, with Germany holding the front-runner position. When you look at the numbers, German companies are giving jobs to over 19,000 Charlotte residents. And with the reveal of HSP US LLC's manufacturing move, the bet on this city and county duo has added up to over $508 million in capital investment and 1,535 new jobs over the last couple of years.
