Triad Business Notes

[suburban george3]

More uncertain business news from Winston-Salem yesterday, GMAC Insurance has been sold to AmTrust; an investment group. Supposedly they are going to keep operations here and a 'majority' of the jobs (51%-99%, that's a broad term.)

Read about it here.

[twincity]

One of the reader comments yesterday was "this is a very very very good thing." But still, this news makes everyone pretty jittery.

[beyonce245]

According to this press release, Ameritox will build a new processing facility and laboratory in Greensboro and hire 228 people once the facility becomes operational.

Previously back on Sept 8th, I stated the the jobs would pay an average wage of $44,000 annually. But we'll have to wait to here more about the announcement once the N&R or Biz Journal picks it up.

Edited October 21, 2009 by beyonce245

[beyonce245]

According to this press release, Ameritox will build a new processing facility and laboratory in Greensboro and hire 228 people once the facility becomes operational.

Previously back on Sept 8th, I stated the the jobs would pay an average wage of $44,000 annually. But we'll have to wait to here more about the announcement once the N&R or Biz Journal picks it up.

UPDATE: The N&R confirms the announcement, and reports that Ameritox rescinded its request for incentives money.

It's good to finally hear some positive economic news.

Edited October 21, 2009 by beyonce245

[twincity]

Thats great news! Congratulations.

Edited October 21, 2009 by twincity

[cityboi]

According to this press release, Ameritox will build a new processing facility and laboratory in Greensboro and hire 228 people once the facility becomes operational.

Previously back on Sept 8th, I stated the the jobs would pay an average wage of $44,000 annually. But we'll have to wait to here more about the announcement once the N&R or Biz Journal picks it up.

great news and no need for incentives! looks like it will be 228 high paying biotech jobs. its an example that when you have an solid trainable workforce, good infrastructure, and reasonable cost of living, companies will move here without or very little incentives. I wonder where in Greensboro it will be built? I think it should be built at Gateway University Research Park.

Edited October 21, 2009 by cityboi

[beyonce245]

I wonder where in Greensboro it will be built? I think it should be built at Gateway University Research Park.

Sorry cityboi. According to WXII, it will be near Gallimore Dairy and I-40 in the Airpark South business park. But I think that's a good location though. It's closer to Kville, Winston, and High Point, so the company can draw from the employment pool in those areas as well. And they're repurposing a vacant building instead of building from scratch. Best of all, the facility should be complete by the end of this year, and it appears that the company plans to fill all 228 positions in 2010!

These will bee good paying jobs (assuming the previously cited annual wages are still planned). I'm happy that many Triad residents will be getting back to work with the kind of company that we need more of here.

[luvdowntowngso]

It is my understanding that they will locate in a building once used by RF Micro.

Edited October 21, 2009 by luvdowntowngso

[beyonce245]

It is my understanding that they will locate in a building once used by RF Micro.

Yes. RF once used this building before building their corporate headquarters and production facilities on Thorndike Rd.

[twincity]

HanesBrands will be closing the Weeks Plant, at 401 West Hanes Mill Road, by the end of next year. 240 jobs will be affected. 80 of those 240 jobs will be transferred to HB's distribution center in Rural Hall. This closing represents Hanes' departure as a manufacturing giant in Forsyth County. Mt. Airy will have the last Hanes manufacturing plant in NC.

Hanes to close last plant in Forsyth; 240 workers affected

[cityboi]

Piedmont Triad Intl Airport sites to get water and sewer. Word has it that two companies are looking at airport sites. One would attract 800 jobs and the other 200 to 300 jobs. One of the companies would have just as much impact as Honda Jet.

http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/11/10/article/city_approves_airport_spending

Other job outlook news, Burlington based LabCorp is seeking incentives to open operations in Guilford County and add 373 jobs.

http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/11/10/article/labcorp_seeks_incentives_to_add_jobs_in_guilford

also Polo Ralph Lauren Corp plans to move a distribution center from West Virginia to Greensboro

http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/6385960/

Edited November 11, 2009 by cityboi

[twincity]

Job recruitment seems to be going well for GSO.

Where did you get the info for the 800 and 200-300 job developments?

[cityboi]

Job recruitment seems to be going well for GSO.

Where did you get the info for the 800 and 200-300 job developments?

it was reported on WFMY news two last night. despite the poor economy, Greensboro has gained a number of jobs over the past several years

[Beany]

Good news on the job front. Thanks for the updates.

[beyonce245]

Job recruitment seems to be going well for GSO.

Where did you get the info for the 800 and 200-300 job developments?

I don't know about the 200-300 prospect. But the company considering bringing 800 jobs has been mentioned several times throughout the past year. This article talks about the company looking at sites that are adjacent to the new runway, which are what the incentives cityboi mentioned will be used to prepare for development. There was also some company that the Isaacson said could make a decision to come to PTI by the end of the year. I don't know if it's the same company he was referring to. We'll just have to wait and see. But hopefully more good news is on the horizon.

[beyonce245]

Loparex will invest $16.9 million to expand its Eden factory and add 68 jobs. The jobs will pay an average of $52,323 not including benefits. More here.

[beyonce245]

Winston-Salem based Targacept has signed a deal with AstraZeneca that could eventually be worth up to $1.2 billion, for development and royalty rights to sell Targacept's TC-5214 drug for Major Depressive Disorder. This includes an upfront payment of $200 million.

Good news for WS and its growing life sciences fields. Read more here.

[beyonce245]

One of the former owners of Carlyle & Co. appears poised to re-open the jewelry chain in the near future, according to an article in the Biz Journal. He confirmed that he was the principal in an investment firm that bought the naming and intellectual property rights to the Carlyle name, the headquarters in Greensboro, and several store leases, including the flagship store in Greensboro, and those at Crabtree Valley, Southpoint and Southpark.

I always thought that Carlyle was a strong brand. It probably would have never gone into liquidation had it not been for the financial troubles of the parent company that bought it back in 2005.

[suburban george3]

Manpower released employment outlook results today and things are looking better in the Triad. Winston-Salem should lead the area metros in job creation with 18% of employers planning to hire while Greensboro/High Point will be in the positive as well with 14%. Burlington is also adding jobs, but many are temporary positions. Manpower believes Winston-Salem to be the 'hot spot' for awhile in job creation in the Triad due to growth in Finance as well as a resurgent mortgage industy.

Read the WFMY article here.

[beyonce245]

RF Micro Devices announced today that it has successfully manufactured solar cells using the same processes that it currently uses to make cell phone chips. This is important because high volume production of solar cells wouldn't require any capital investments in a new plant or equipment. RF can simply make these chips in its existing plants. The company says it plans to begin selling the chips in 2012 for use in renewable energy production.

Good news, especially if it leads to more jobs at its Greensboro headquarters and plant.

Edited March 15, 2010 by beyonce245

[cityboi]

Volvo's presence in Greensboro is growing....

Volvo will move its global customer finance company's Headquarters to Greensboro. The corporate headquarters to sister companies Volvo Trucks of North America and Mack Trucks are already located in Greensboro. I wonder if this could lead to the North American headquarters of its cars or a future automobile plant locating to Greensboro

http://www.news-record.com/content/2010/04/26/article/volvo_to_move_customer_finance_companys_hq_to_greensboro

Edited April 27, 2010 by cityboi

[krazeeboi]

It appears as though Winston-Salem is in the running for a Caterpillar manufacturing facility, along with Spartanburg and Montgomery, AL. A decision is expected by August.

[cityboi]

lets keep our fingers crossed because we need the jobs. I think Winston has a great shot because of the city's location near multiple interstates and the FedEx hub at PTI.

Edited June 25, 2010 by cityboi

[krazeeboi]

lets keep our fingers crossed because we need the jobs. I think Winston has a great shot because of the city's location near multiple interstates and the FedEx hub at PTI.

This is going to come down to primarily one thing: incentives.

[cityboi]

This is going to come down to primarily one thing: incentives.

I think Winston is going to put a competitive package on the table. The city can use some of the money Dell gave back to the city.