Liebherr to expand Newport News-Hampton facility

Newport News-based Liebherr Mining Equipment will invest $72.3 million to expand a plant at the border of Newport News and Hampton, creating an estimated 175 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Tuesday.

“We thank Liebherr, an international leader in mining equipment manufacturing, for its commitment to the commonwealth of Virginia,” Youngkin said in a statement. “Liebherr has recognized that Virginia is strategically located to serve as its global production headquarters for mining trucks and service customers within the United States and across the world.”

Founded in 1949, Liebherr Group is a family-owned technology and equipment producer. Founded in 1995, Liebherr Mining Equipment Newport News Co. has more than 550 employees. It manufactures industrial-scale mining trucks used to transport material at open-cast mining operations. The trucks are partly assembled, tested and certified at the plant, and complete assembly occurs at the mine.

“We are excited to expand our mining equipment facility in Newport News … to better support Liebherr Mining customers around the world,” Cort Reiser, managing director of Liebherr Mining Equipment Newport News Co., said in a statement. “We’re thankful for the partnerships with the cities of Hampton and Newport News and the Commonwealth of Virginia that have greatly enriched our operations and enabled Liebherr to bring 175 new jobs and investment to the region.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Newport News and Hampton to secure the project. Youngkin approved a $1.5 million grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist the cities. Liebherr Mining Equipment is eligible to receive benefits from the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant program. VEDP will support the company’s employee training through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, a three-year incentive program that provides cash grant reimbursements for associated human resources costs after a company has had new employees on the payroll for at least 90 days.