Global manufacturer to move U.S. HQ to Danville/Pittsylvania area

Walraven Inc. will invest $7.15 million to relocate its U.S. headquarters and manufacturing operation from Cadillac, Michigan, to the Danville-Pittsylvania County area, creating 46 jobs, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday.

A manufacturer of installation systems such as pipe hangers and in-wall solutions for plumbing and mechanical applications, Walraven will move into the Cane Creek Shell Building at Cane Creek Centre, the joint industrial park for Danville and Pittsylvania County.

Virginia successfully competed with Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee for the project.

Headquartered in the Netherlands, Walraven manufactures products in the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Spain, Turkey, China, India, Dubai, Canada and the United States.

“This announcement further demonstrates the strength of Southern Virginia’s economic assets and its commitment to infrastructure, education and building the workforce of the future. We thank Walraven for choosing the commonwealth and look forward to a successful partnership,” said Northam, who met with the company’s CEO in Germany during a state marketing mission to Europe in May.

“Walraven was impressed with the positive business climate and the engagement of the economic development team in Danville and Pittsylvania County,” Walraven CEO Pelle van Walraven said in a statement. “We selected Danville because of its availability of property, competitive proposals, engaging community, commitment and investment in technical education, and access to markets. Walraven is looking forward to implementing its global strategy in the U.S. and building a ‘multinational with a heart’ in Virginia.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Danville, Pittsylvania County, the Danville-Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority and the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance to secure the project for Virginia. Northam approved a $100,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist with the project. The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission also contributed $48,000 from the Tobacco Region Opportunity Fund.

Support for Walraven’s job creation will be provided through the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, a workforce training and recruitment initiative created by VEDP in collaboration with the Virginia Community College System and other higher education partners. Services are provided at no cost to qualified new and expanding companies as an incentive for job creation.