Tex-Tech Industries, which develops specialty textiles, high-performance materials and coatings for the automotive, aerospace, defense, medical and protective apparel industries, is growing its production capabilities. The North Carolina textile company announced a nearly $25 million investment into a new 170,000-square-foot manufacturing center located 10 miles west of its Kernersville headquarters—a move that will create 49 new jobs in the Winston-Salem community.
“North Carolina’s leadership in textile manufacturing helps companies like Tex-Tech stay on the cutting edge of innovation,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “This expansion builds upon the company’s success in Forsyth County for 60 years, affirming that North Carolina is a great place to do business.”
Tex-Tech is now seeking managers, operators, technicians and sales personnel to staff the facility, with the expected average annual salary reaching about $68,000—nearly $10,000 above the county’s average annual wage. The company estimates that the jobs will have a yearly payroll impact of over $3.3 million.
“Expanding in Forsyth County was the best decision for our company,” Kelly Moore, chief financial officer of Tex-Tech Industries, said. “Being centrally located on the East Coast and having access to a growing advanced manufacturing talent pool were some of the differentiating factors for our decision to grow here.”
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The state’s Commerce Secretary, Machelle Baker Sanders, said “North Carolina’s reputation for textile research and development woven with the largest nonwovens workforce in the nation and strong textile supply chain” makes thr state a “great choice for Tex-Tech’s expansion.”
The One North Carolina Fund awarded the company a $125,000 performance-based grant to help fund the project. It helps local governments attract economic investment and create jobs by providing financial assistance. Companies like Tex-Tech must meet job creation and capital investment goals to qualify for the funding, receiving no money up front. Grants require matching participation from local governments. The North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the state’s general assembly, the community college system, Forsyth Tech Community College, Forsyth County, City of Winston-Salem and Greater Winston-Salem, Inc. also supported the development of the new center.
Senator Paul A. Lowe, Jr. called the company’s increased investment “a strong vote of confidence in the workforce and manufacturing economy of our region.” Representative Kanika Brown added that “Forsyth County has a rich textile legacy,” noting that its “location, infrastructure, and existing industry will continue to support the company in its next phase of growth.”
Later this month, Conover, N.C.’s Manufacturing Solutions Center (MSC) will officially open the doors to its second textile testing and production facility, expanding its existing operations by 75,000 square feet. A part of Catawba Valley Community College, the MSC serves as an innovation hub for startups creating fabrics, materials and other products.