Hockmeyer Equipment Corporation, a process equipment maker, will create 90 new jobs as it launches a $6 million expansion of operations in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.
Gov. Roy Cooper said Elizabeth City and Pasquotank County “are doing the right things to attract businesses.”
“Local effort to create a great place to live and welcome talented workers originally brought Hockmeyer Equipment Corporation to our state 35 years ago and is why they are expanding again today,” Cooper said in announcing the expansion.
Manufacturing in Elizabeth City since 1984, Hockmeyer will add 35,000 square feet to its existing facility.
Hockmeyer is a world-renowned leader in developing state-of-the-art mills for particle size reduction for inks and coatings. It has been providing custom processing technology for the wet grinding, blending and dispersion industry for more than 80 years. The company is an innovator in customizing solutions for the automotive, paint, ink, food and pharmaceutical industries.
“This is an exciting time for Hockmeyer,” said Herman Hockmeyer, company CEO and president. “This project is a true investment in future technologies for continued innovation to serve our clients around the world. Although growth presents challenges, we are eager to face them with the support of the local community and the state of North Carolina. Our new space will accommodate new equipment required to manufacture our growing product line and the skilled staff we are recruiting.”
North Carolina Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland said the state’s world-class workforce “makes North Carolina a front-runner for manufacturers.”
The state Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) were instrumental in supporting the company’s decision to expand in Pasquotank County.
Salaries for the new jobs will vary by position but the average annual wage will be $37,416. The average annual wage in Pasquotank County is $34,929.
A performance-based grant of $300,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help support Hockmeyer’s expansion in Pasquotank County. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and to create jobs. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All One NC grants require a matching grant from local governments.
In addition to North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, other key partners in the project include the North Carolina General Assembly, North Carolina Community College System, the City of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County Economic Development Commission, Electricities of North Carolina and Pasquotank County.