Tech manufacturer to add 32 jobs in Newport News

Newport News-based automated machinery designer Mühlbauer Inc. will invest $9 million to expand its Newport News operation, a project expected to create 32 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Thursday.

Mühlbauer Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of German company Mühlbauer Group. The company will make upgrades to its Oakland Industrial Park facility and add production equipment.

“Mühlbauer’s decision to upgrade and expand its operation demonstrates the renewed trust manufacturers have in the commonwealth,” Youngkin said in a statement. “Mühlbauer has a history of success in the city of Newport News, which fosters an impressive business climate to attract and retain a robust manufacturing industry. We thank the company for its investment and long-term commitment to the commonwealth.”

Founded in 1981 in Germany, Mühlbauer Group manufactures automated machinery used to make chip-based cards, radio-frequency identification (RFID) labels or smart tags. It also manufactures inspection equipment used in currency and semiconductor chip production. The company offers security software solutions for authentication and verification at border crossing stations and airports. Mühlbauer Group has about 4,000 employees worldwide and operates centers in the U.S., Germany, China, Malaysia, Serbia and Slovakia.

In 2009, Mühlbauer Inc. opened a 30,000-square-foot facility in Oakland Industrial Park. The subsidiary provides hardware and software for automation solutions for ePassports, electronic identity documents and others.

“We started our success in Virginia 25 years ago and would like to continue our path in Virginia,” Mühlbauer Group founder and CEO Josef Mühlbauer said in a statement. “We have grown to love this area and the Virginians. Our company has always appreciated the support we have received from the city of Newport News as well as the state of Virginia. Mühlbauer is also very proud that the Virginia driver license is manufactured and personalized with Mühlbauer equipment.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the city of Newport News, the Hampton Roads Alliance and the Port of Virginia to secure the project, for which Virginia competed with Oregon. Youngkin approved a $227,700 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Newport News. Mühlbauer is eligible to receive benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.

The Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, a workforce initiative created by the VEDP and Virginia Community College System, will provide customizable recruitment and training services at no cost to the company.