YORK COUNTY, SC - With more than 2,300 employees on three continents, the STIWA Group is one of the world's leading specialists in the fields of automation, manufacturing and software. To strengthen its presence in the U.S. market, the company is investing approximately $36 million in a new facility and machining operation in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Production at the new facility is scheduled to begin in September 2024.

"The investment in the construction of our new site in the USA is an important milestone for STIWA. We firmly believe that the American market offers enormous potential for us and that now is the right time to take this step," says Peter Sticht, CEO of STIWA Group. "The new building will allow us to expand our capacity and better serve our customers in line with our local-for-local strategy. It is not only a physical structure, but a symbol of growth, innovation, and our strong presence in the American market".

Among the guests of honor attending the groundbreaking ceremony in Rock Hill were Ashely Teasdel (Deputy Secretary of Commerce, South Carolina), Brent Parton (Acting Assistant Secretary, Employment and Training Administration, US Department of Labor), Petra Schneebauer (Austrian U.S. Ambassador), Markus Achleitner (State Minister for Economic Affairs of Upper Austria) and John Gettys (Mayor of Rock Hill).

Space for approximately 160 jobs

In Rock Hill, the STIWA Group purchased a property of approximately 30 acres. In the first stage of expansion, a 75,000 square feet building, consisting of a two-story office and a workshop, will be built. This will provide space for approximately 160 high quality jobs. The location is ideal for the company: Charlotte Douglas International Airport is just a half-hour drive away, and many customers are within a two-hour driving radius. "Our goal is to develop the new site in the USA into a fully-fledged STIWA plant, reflecting our expertise in mechanical engineering, manufacturing and software. In this way we will not only be able to serve our existing customers, but also attract new American customers, which we have already done with an order from Motorola," says Sticht.

The STIWA Group has been represented in the USA by a service and support branch since 2016 and has successively expanded its portfolio in recent years. The company currently employs more than 40 people in a leased facility in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

Start of apprenticeship training in preparation

Apprenticeship training is an essential cornerstone of the STIWA Group's success. Apprentices have been trained in Austria for more than 40 years. That is why the company wants to establish this successful model at its new U.S. headquarters. "Apprenticeship is a very high quality education with excellent career opportunities, making it a very attractive alternative to college. We are in close contact with local authorities and educational institutions and can also build on the experience of other companies that have already introduced an apprenticeship program. Preparations are already underway," says Andreas Prokesch, CEO of STIWA US INC.