Existing Clusters - Inactive

Advanced Manufacturing

Manufacturing has a long and rich history in Catawba County. Even today, 31% of Catawba County’s working population is engaged in manufacturing. That’s more than three times the national average of 10%. There are over 425 manufacturers in Catawba County employing more than 23,000 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.

Telecommunications

Two of Catawba County's largest employers also happen to be two of the world's largest producers of fiber optic cables. Supporting these industry giants—CommScope and Corning Optical Communications, along with Prysmian—are a number of smaller suppliers that combine to create one of the most impressive clusters of fiber companies in the world.

Advanced Textiles

Textiles have a long history in Catawba County.  Like many areas, Catawba's early industrial economy was largely made up of textile mills.  The Catawba River provided a readily available, abundant water supply and many textile products were manufactured in Catawba County beginning with yarn and including sock, hosiery, and bedding.  In the early part of the century, many of these textile factories moved their operations out of the country.  With companies producing both wovens and nonwovens for a variety of applications, the textile industry still thrives in Catawba County.  Read this case study about textile manufacturing in Catawba County.  Also, please view our Advanced Textiles Fact Sheet to learn more.

Data Centers

With such an impressive collection of fiber companies, it should be no surprise that Catawba County and the surrounding area is also home to some of the world's largest and most sophisticated data centers. A targeted recruitment effort started by the Catawba EDC to establish the NC Data Center Corridor has brought jaw-dropping investments by companies like Apple and Bed Bath & Beyond to Catawba County and companies like Google and Facebook to other counties in the Corridor.  These companies are able take advantage of the reliable, low-cost energy and abundant water found in the region.

With their understanding of the industry's needed and wants, the Catawba County EDC and area partners have worked to prepare a number of sites and buildings, suitable for additional data centers. To learn more, visit datacentersites.com 

International Firms

While not technically an industry cluster, the significant presence of international firms in Catawba County makes it worth highlighting. International firms remain a fitting target for Catawba County and the EDC works closely with representatives in Europe to uncover companies who may be seeking, or could benefit from, a new US location. At last count there were over 40 internationally owned firms in the area, the vast majority of which are engaged in manufacturing.   These companies employe over 4,000 workers and represent 18% of our manufacturing workforce.  Some of these companies include Klingspor Abrasives (Germany), Lincotek Surface Solutions (Italy), Sarstedt (Germany), Technibilt-Wanzl (Germany), ZF (Germany), American Fuji Seal (Japan), Cataler NA (Japan), Smart Electric (Taiwan), GKN (United Kingdom), CertainTeed (France), Prysmian (Italy), Minelli USA (Italy), Pasta Piccinini (Italy), Poppelman Plastics (Germany) and Taiji Group USA (China).  

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