VDL Groep has founded a new production firm in the US state of Georgia. VDL Industries Gainesville is based in Hall County, close to Atlanta. VDL Industries Gainesville will become operational in September 2018, eventually providing jobs to around 100 employees. According to a State of Georgia press release, the investment for the new facility will be around $17 million.
Adding to its sites in Richmond (Virginia), Detroit (Michigan), Spartanburg (South Carolina) and two other companies in Fremont (California), this new site represents VDL’s sixth business in the US. The two key markets VDL has historically targeted in the US are high-tech mechanical engineering and automotive. With VDL Industries Gainesville, the Eindhoven-based industrial family firm is launching its own production site in the US.
Charging stations for electric cars, street furniture, and chassis for haulage vehicles
Local production is the foundation for the further expansion of VDL’s activities in North America. VDL Industries Gainesville is a specialist in metal and metal sheet processing, robotic welding and assembly for customers based in the US and those venturing over there. This new VDL business, spanning an area of 13,500 square metres, will offer VDL customers a supply chain in the US.
Once production launches, VDL Industries Gainesville shall engage in the following activities, among others: production and assembly of production line parts in different industries, charging stations for electric cars, street furniture, chassis for haulage vehicles, units for rail infrastructure and parts for sorting centres. All products produced in Gainesville will be destined for the US market. The order backlog of the new company is already very healthy, the company says in a statement.
“Georgia provides a favourable geographical base for VDL Groep, as there is a lot of potential for us to take care of customer supply chains here”, says VDL Groep Chairman, Willem van der Leegte.
An economic delegation from Georgia today visited VDL Groep in Eindhoven. “VDL Groep’s decision to locate in Hall County speaks to Georgia’s ability to attract dynamic manufacturing companies from around the world with our business-friendly environment and highly skilled workforce”, says Georgia Governor Nathan Deal. “With this manufacturing facility, VDL Groep will join a number of Dutch companies that operate more than 100 facilities in our state and employ more than 7,500 Georgians.”
Rick van Haren has been appointed Director of VDL Industries Gainesville. For the past 12.5 years, Van Haren held the role of Director of VDL Kunststoffen.
