This Charlotte company is investing $500 million in US factories

Sweden-based appliance maker Electrolux Group, which has its North American operations in Charlotte, said Tuesday that it plans to invest $500 million in its U.S. manufacturing operations as it looks to boost growth in its Frigidaire kitchen products.

The company said it is investing more than $250 million in its Springfield, Tenn., facility, expanding production by adding 400,000 square feet for manufacturing. Construction will start in late 2018 and continue into 2020.

Electrolux also said it is consolidating its freezer production at a facility in Anderson, S.C., where it had already announced plans to invest $250 million on an expansion. As part of the investment, the company will launch a new line of Frigidaire refrigeration and freezer products. Construction started last year and is expected to be completed in 2019. Anderson is about two hours southwest of Charlotte.

The Anderson consolidation, however, will result in the closure of a facility in St. Cloud, Minn. Production at that plant will continue through 2019, the company said.

“We are committed to the Frigidaire brand, our U.S. manufacturing base and are investing approximately $500 million in our business’ growth areas while also simplifying our operations,” said Alan Shaw, head of Electrolux major appliances North America. “This is a difficult announcement for our Minnesota teammates. We are committed to supporting them and are announcing this two years in advance to provide transition time.”

The appliance-maker moved its North American unit to Charlotte from Augusta, Ga., in 2010. In 2016, it canceled a major expansion at its North American headquarters in Charlotte after its failed attempt to purchase General Electric’s appliance unit.

This story was originally published January 30, 2018 at 3:48 PM with the headline "This Charlotte company is investing $500 million in US factories."