Blog Post from North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership InnovaKnits is a specialized contract manufacturer that provides flat knit consulting and develops domestic flat knit textile products for the medical, wearable electronics, and technical fields. Other industry applications include aerospace, energy, performance athletics, orthotics and prosthetics, molding and composites, hosiery and high-end fashion and apparel. In addition to product development services, I

HICKORY, N.C. - The City of Hickory's newest walkway opened Tuesday morning. City leaders held a ribbon cutting on the steel pedestrian bridge that's part of the Aviation Walk. The walk is one of five trails being built across the city connecting more than 10 miles of neighborhoods Click here for the rest of the article and videos on WSOC-TV

North Carolina is part of Apple’s $500 billion U.S. expansion plans. Apple will expand facilities in nine states over the next four years and create 20,000 jobs, the tech giant said in a news release Monday. With the company’s largest ever financial commitment, it is focusing on artificial intelligence, silicon engineering and skills development. The plan includes expanding its data center capacity in North Carolina, as well as in Iowa, Oregon, Arizona and Nevada. Apple helpe

Click here for original post from UNC-Charlotte The University of North Carolina at Charlotte has been awarded esteemed Research 1 – or R1 – status by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. It is the highest recognition that a doctoral university can receive. The prestigious classification, indicating “very high research activity,” affirms UNC Charlotte as an elite research institution. With this designation, Charlotte (and East Carolina Universi

Click here for original post from Appalachian State University BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University has received a Research Activity Designation of Research 2 from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education — the nation’s leading framework for categorizing U.S. higher education institutions. This new designation is awarded to institutions with high research activity and doctorate production. “This designation aligns with App State’s steady growth in

by Kevin Ellis, Business North Carolina A Houston-based data company paid $4 million for the former Bed Bath & Beyond data center in Claremont and has converted it into a facility that will rent out space to third parties for their servers and other network equipment. Known as a colocation center, Data Journey officials say it will serve both local and regional clients. The investment in the building was almost $7 million, when adding attorney fees and other expenses relate

CONOVER, N.C. – Pleneri, a leading innovator in the apparel manufacturing industry, is excited to announce the opening of its Innovation Center at the Manufacturing Solutions Center (MSC) in Conover, North Carolina. This significant milestone places Pleneri at the heart of the emerging US textiles industry and underscores the company’s commitment to sustainability and technological advancement. Pleneri’s CEO, Matt Padberg, expressed his enthusiasm for the move, stating, “We a

Experienced municipal leader looks forward to collaboration, innovation NEWTON, NC—The City of Newton proudly announces the hiring of Brandon Holland, ICMA-CM, as assistant city manager. Holland comes to Newton with more than a decade of experience managing municipal governments and a proven track record of driving advances in financial management, economic growth, capital improvements, and leadership development. Holland most recently held the position of senior planner and

HICKORY, N.C. – Steel Warehouse, a leading steel service center with distribution, shipping, and processing capabilities, announced that it will open a state-of-the-art facility in Hickory, North Carolina. The ambitious initiative is set to create 58 jobs and involve an investment of $27 million over the next four years, significantly enhancing the company's presence and operational capabilities in the Southeastern United States. Steel Warehouse Company, a family-owned steel

Windak Group, a leading European supplier in the wire and cable machinery industry, has announced plans to construct a new US headquarters and production facility for Windak Inc. in Newton, North Carolina. The planned expansion, involving an investment of $2.5 million, will create 11 new jobs, offering an average salary of $52,172.

CLAREMONT, N.C. – Millwork & Panel LLC, a residential siding manufacturer and indirect subsidiary of CertainTeed Holding Corporation, has announced a significant expansion at its Catawba County site. The facility has been located in Claremont for over 30 years manufacturing vinyl siding products and employs over 160 employees. The company is set to invest at least $27.8 million over the next five years, and will create a minimum of 48 new positions with an average salary of $

NEWTON, N.C. – Wanzl North America, a leading solution provider and global manufacturer of retail equipment, and holding the market position of being the largest manufacturer of shopping carts in North America, has announced a significant renovation at its Catawba County facility. With almost four decades of presence in Newton and Catawba County, the German-owned company is set to invest at least $15 million over the next three years, introducing state-of-the-art production t

CATAWBA, N.C. – CommScope, a global leader in infrastructure solutions for communication networks, announces a major business expansion at its Catawba County facilities. Headquartered in nearby Hickory (NC), with more than 1,600 Catawba County employees, the company plans to invest $60.3 million over the next four years to enhance production capabilities and create 250 new positions with an average annual salary of $57,332. The investment by CommScope over the next four year