German heavy transport and airport ground support equipment manufacturer Goldhofer invests $19.5 million to build plant in North Carolina, USA

en.Wedoany.com Reported - German heavy transport and airport ground support equipment manufacturer Goldhofer Inc. announced on June 30, 2026, that it will establish its North American headquarters and first production facility in Hickory, Catawba County, North Carolina, USA. The project involves a total investment of over $19.5 million and is expected to create 80 new jobs.

Goldhofer's history dates back to 1705, and it was officially founded in 1946. Headquartered in Memmingen, Germany, the company employs approximately 1,000 people worldwide and generates annual sales of over $350 million. Its products include heavy machinery and self-propelled trailers, as well as towbarless aircraft tractors used at major airports globally.

The new plant will be located at the Trivium Corporate Center in Hickory, with an initial construction of an 80,000-square-foot (approximately 7,432 square meters) production facility. The plant will primarily manufacture heavy transport equipment and airport ground support vehicles.

David Weinmann, CEO of Goldhofer Inc., stated: "When we considered Goldhofer's direction in North America, North Carolina was always our first choice. It offers a skilled workforce, excellent infrastructure, and a favorable business environment. We are committed to long-term development in the United States, and Hickory will be the starting point for our new chapter." North Carolina Governor Josh Stein commented: "North Carolina has the best advanced manufacturing talent in the Southeast, providing global companies with a skilled workforce, a strong innovation ecosystem, and a favorable business environment." The average annual salary for the new positions is approximately $63,000, more than 20% higher than the average wage in Catawba County.

To support the project, the state will provide a performance-based grant of $200,000 from the "One North Carolina Fund." This grant requires the company to meet specific employment and capital investment targets before disbursement. The annual payroll impact from the new jobs is expected to exceed $4.7 million. With Goldhofer's arrival, the development of the Trivium Corporate Center is also completed. This advanced manufacturing park was one of the projects approved through a $40 million bond referendum in Hickory in 2014. This investment marks Goldhofer's strategic expansion in the North American market.