Big deals

CENTRAL VIRGINIA

Appomattox: In November 2022, Virginia MetalFab, a precision sheet metal fabricator, moved from Nelson County’s Gladstone area to nearby Appomattox, where it’s leasing the former Thomasville Furniture plant, which shuttered in 2011. Founded in 2002, Virginia MetalFab manufactures metal parts and assemblies for industries ranging from utilities to transportation and technology. The company invested $9 million on the move, which is expected to create 130 jobs over the next
three years.

Chesterfield County: Germany-based Weidmüller Group announced plans in April to invest $16.4 million to increase its footprint in Chesterfield County where the family-owned company has operated for more than five decades. Weidmüller produces smart industrial connectivity products and solutions that connect and automate electrical power and signaling for components, machines and installations. The expansion, which will create more than 100 full-time jobs, is expected to be complete in summer 2024.

Caroline County: In November 2022, World Class Distribution Inc. said it will build a
$275 million, 1.2 million-square-foot spec distribution center in the Caroline 95 Logistics Park in Ruther Glen, creating 745 jobs. A subsidiary of California-based TACT Holding Inc. (parent company of the Trader Joe’s grocery chain), WCD is a distribution, warehousing and cold storage company.

Hanover County: SanMar Corp., a supplier of wholesale accessories and apparel, said in March that it is investing at least $50 million to move into a 1.1 million-square-foot spec distribution center in the East Coast Commerce Center in Hanover just north of Ashland. The company’s ninth distribution center in the United States, it will serve as the flagship facility for the company’s East Coast distribution network. Executives plan to ultimately hire 1,000 workers when the facility reaches full capacity.

Lynchburg: Delta Star Inc., a manufacturer of industrial electrical products like mobile power transformers and substations, announced plans in May to expand its manufacturing operation and headquarters in the Hill City, a move expected to create about 150 jobs. The company is investing $30.2 million in the facility, which was established in Lynchburg in 1962.

EASTERN VIRGINIA

Norfolk: Princo LLC, a manufacturer of adult incontinence pads and puppy training pads, officially opened its new 80,000-square-foot Norfolk manufacturing facility in April. A joint venture between health care companies Premier Inc., Vario Labs LLC and Caretrust LLC, Princo invested $23.8 million in the facility, which is expected to create 284 jobs. Workers there make incontinence pads to support more than 4,400 hospitals in Premier’s customer portfolio.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Arlington County: In November 2022, Technomics Inc. leased an additional 10,000 square feet of space in the company’s building at 1225 South Clark St. and was planning to add an additional 10,000 square feet elsewhere in Arlington. An employee-owned government consulting firm specializing in cost analysis, data management and data analytics, Technomics invested $1.7 million in the expansion, which was expected to generate 150 jobs. Created in 1984, Technomics opened its Arlington office in 2000.

Fairfax County: SmartRoof, a solar energy and roofing contractor, announced plans in November 2022 to invest $350,000 to relocate from McLean to Reston. Founded in 2016, the company plans to add more than 400 jobs during the next five years.

Fairfax County: In February, aerospace defense contractor Amentum Services Inc. said it would consolidate its operations and move its headquarters from Germantown, Maryland, to 4800 Westfields Blvd. in Chantilly. The company is investing $495 million to make the move, which will add 157 jobs. Amentum, which has more than 44,000 employees globally, completed a $1.9 billion all-cash purchase of Falls Church-based government contractor
PAE Inc. in 2022.

SHENANDOAH VALLEY

Harrisonburg: Farmer Focus, an organic poultry producer, plans to almost double processing capacity at its Harrisonburg facility over the next two years. A $3.6 million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program will help pay for the $17.8 million expansion, which is expected to create more than 300 jobs.

SOUTHERN VIRGINIA

Halifax County: Switzerland-based Hitachi Energy Ltd. said in October 2022 that it was adding 26,000 square feet to its existing Halifax County facility to allow for a new production line of large power transformers. The company is investing $37 million in the expansion, creating 165 jobs.

SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA

Botetourt County: Birmingham, Alabama-based Altec Industries Inc. is expanding its footprint at the Botetourt Center at Greenfield. In May, the company announced plans to invest $1.4 million to expand production on its construction equipment products line, expected to create 150 jobs. A global manufacturer, Altec makes products like boom truck cranes and digger derricks for industrial customers like electric utilities, telecommunications companies and tree care businesses.

Salem: In March, German auto parts manufacturer STS Group AG said it would invest $32 million to establish its North American headquarters at the former General Electric Co. facility in Salem, creating 119 full-time positions. The move was a switch from plans to build the headquarters in Wythe County, as announced in 2021. STS Group develops, manufactures and supplies vehicle interior and exterior parts made from plastic or composite materials.

This story has been corrected since publication.