Haulotte North America to relocate corporate headquarters to Virginia Beach

Haulotte North America plans to move its North American headquarters from Frederick, Md., to Virginia Beach. Mayor Williams D. Sessoms announced the company’s relocation today in his annual “State of the City” address.

Haulotte North America is a subsidiary of Haulotte Group based in L’Horme, France. It’s the third-largest manufacturer of aerial work platforms, such as industrial scaffolding and lift systems.

The move is expected to create 66 jobs in Virginia Beach within 36 months, with average salaries of more than $70,000.

Haulotte plans to open its new facility by mid-June. The 83,000-square-foot facility initially will support the company’s headquarters, sales, customer service and distribution functions, as well as some periphery production and assembly operations.

“This is a very important strategic move for Haulotte,” Claude Fuger, the company’s CEO and general manager, said in a statement. “We have been actively searching for a new location that will support our abilities to offer new products, improve service and become a major industry player on the North American scene. “

Proximity to the Port of Virginia, which will help the company reduce operating costs, and the quality of life in Virginia Beach for employees and their families helped draw Haulotte to the area, he added.

Warren D. Harris, director of Virginia Beach Economic Development, welcomed the new headquarters. “…Bringing a new corporate headquarters to the area sends a positive signal that Virginia Beach offers the assets necessary for a company’s long-term success: reasonable business costs, excellent workforce and outstanding quality of life for their employees.”

Haulotte USA will continue to operate a 300,000-square-foot manufacturing and assembly plant in Archbold, Ohio, although some of those operations will move to Virginia Beach. The company has indicated there may be potential for manufacturing growth in future phases in Virginia Beach.

The Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development worked with the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance, Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the local office of CB Richard Ellis on this corporate headquarters relocation assignment.