GREENVILLE, North Carolina – As part of North Carolina Manufacturing Week (September 26 through October 2) and National Manufacturing Day (October 1), the Greenville Eastern North Carolina (ENC) Alliance is proud to highlight the manufacturers that contribute so much to our community.
“Providing 19.5% of our gross state product, we celebrate North Carolina manufacturers and their contributions to our economy,” said Governor Roy Cooper.
North Carolina is the fifth largest manufacturing economy in the United States. Studies show that for every $1.00 spent in manufacturing, $1.84 is generated for North Carolina’s economy. Manufacturers in our state contribute $107.1 billion to our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). According to recent data, manufacturers in the Greenville MSA contributed the largest portion of GDP of all industry sectors last year at more than $2.1 billion.
“North Carolina’s economy is deeply rooted in manufacturing,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “Our success and post-pandemic recovery are not possible without the talented workforce that supports our diverse manufacturing sector. To continue this legacy, our First in Talent plan prioritizes education and workforce training to help North Carolina manufacturers meet the evolving demands of the industry.”
Locally, advanced manufacturing represents nearly 27% of the Greenville’s Gross Regional Product (GRP). This is more than double the national average GRP of 13 percent. Advanced manufacturing operations in Greenville are particularly clustered in the sectors of chemicals and plastics; machinery and metals; wood and paper products; and marine-related manufacturing.
“We are grateful for our local manufacturers that make everything from pharmaceutical products and medical supplies to packaging products and boats,” said Brad Hufford, vice president of business development for the Greenville ENC Alliance. “Greenville and Pitt County are well positioned for growth and are able to offer unique opportunities to create workforce development solutions and innovative incentive packages.”
The Greenville ENC Alliance is honored to have several large-scale, global advanced manufacturers as investors and supporters of our organization. Hyster-Yale Group, Inc. a platinum level investor, manufactures a comprehensive line of lift trucks and Penco Products, Inc., a gold level investor, manufactures metal lockers and storage systems.
“Penco Products is proud to call eastern North Carolina its home,” said Tom Kulikowski, president and CEO of Penco Products. “For over 150 years we have been manufacturing fabricated metal products with skill and precision. Customers count on the people at Penco to transform their visions into enduring realities. We are on a quest to be the best.”
The company is headquartered in Greenville and operates a manufacturing plant in nearby Hamilton, which is in Martin County. Kulikowski also serves as the chairman of the board of directors for the Greenville ENC Alliance. Like many other manufacturers, Penco finds endless benefits of being headquartered in the production hub of eastern North Carolina.
“Our talent pool in Pitt County brings manufacturers’ products to market with skill and efficiency,” added Hufford. “Nearly 6,600 Pitt County residents work in manufacturing with many more in the pipeline thanks to customized training programs at Pitt Community College and East Carolina University.”
Located midway between Raleigh and the Crystal Coast, the Greenville MSA is in Foreign-Trade Zone #214. In addition to a skilled and talented workforce, the area offers shovel-ready industrial sites with nearby access to transportation and infrastructure by road, air, rail, and sea. Companies can access three deep water ports within 120 miles, or a three-hour drive, from Greenville.
“During North Carolina Manufacturing Week and National Manufacturing Day, we want to celebrate the hard work of our local companies and thank them for their contributions to economic development,” explained Hufford. “We’re also seeing increased interest from other companies that are looking to relocate or expand their operations to a community that will allow them to thrive. We want these businesses to know that Greenville is open for business, and we have the resources that they need to succeed.”
For more information about North Carolina Manufacturing Week, including a copy of Governor Cooper’s proclamation, click here. To learn more about National Manufacturing Day, click here.
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Media Relations Contact:
Maria Satira
Director of Marketing and Communications
Greenville - Eastern North Carolina Alliance
satira@encalliance.com
252-414-2875
