Framatome to relocate North American headquarters to Lynchburg

Framatome, a designer and supplier of nuclear power equipment, plans to relocate its North American corporate headquarters from Charlotte, N.C., to Lynchburg.

Paris-based AREVA NP was rebranded as Framatome in January. The company is known as Framatome Inc. in North America.

Framatome has 1,300 employees in Lynchburg, 2,300 in North America and 14,000 globally.

The company’s employment in Lynchburg is expected to grow with the relocation of its North American headquarters, according to the governor’s office.

“Framatome Inc. is a thriving, U.S.-based company, and we couldn’t be prouder that this nuclear energy leader will center its operations in the City of Lynchburg and the Commonwealth as it grows in domestic markets,” Gov. Ralph Northam said in a statement.

Framatome is a major international player in the nuclear energy market. The company designs, manufactures and installs components and fuel for nuclear power plants. It also offers a range of reactor services.

Framatome is owned by the EDF Group (75.5 percent), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (19.5 percent) and Assystem (5 percent).

“We have been in the Lynchburg area of Virginia for more than 50 years and as we look to the future as Framatome, we are proud to once again make this the headquarters for our North American operations,” Gary Mignogna, president and CEO of Framatome Inc., said in a statement. “When it comes to recruiting, we have access to some of the best university programs in the country and the region offers a growing diversity of activities and opportunities that make this a great place to live and work.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Lynchburg and the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance to help secure the project for Virginia.