At 31.5%, the Hickory MSA ranks 5th in the nation for percentage of workforce employed in manufacturing.

Manufacturing has a long and rich history in Catawba County. Even today, 31.5% of Catawba County’s working population is engaged in manufacturing. That’s more than three times the national average of 9.9%. There are 425 manufacturers in Catawba County employing nearly 25,000 workers.

It’s true that the face of the manufacturing sector in Catawba County has seen a lot of change. Though the textile mills that once lined the region’s rivers are gone, in their place are advanced manufacturing facilities producing high value products like automotive components, fiber optic cable, and custom handcrafted furniture.

Catawba Valley Community College's Manufacturing Solutions Center is a non-profit organization located in Conover, North Carolina. The center strives to improve quality and efficiency, develop new products and create/retain jobs. The multi-faceted center offers several different services including standardized testing, product development, training (hosiery, software, industrial, etc), engineering, and many more.

View our Advanced Manufacturing Brochure to learn more about Catawba County's manufacturing specialization.