A New York manufacturing company is relocating its HQ to Charlotte. Here’s what’s next.
A designer and manufacturer of devices that helps companies move things big and small is on the move to the Queen City.
Columbus McKinnon will relocate its corporate headquarters from Buffalo, New York to Charlotte’s Ballantyne area in the next year, with enough space to hire 100 new employees, the company told The Charlotte Observer.
The company has more than 3,000 employees across the globe, including offices and manufacturing plants in Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia. It makes and markets lifting devices, hoists and conveyor belts that can move everything from a nearly 50-ton airplane wing to theater lighting.
Its products are also used by major automotive companies to help assemble cars as well as e-commerce users fulfill online orders.
Columbus McKinnon will lease the top two floors of SPX FLOW’s building at 13320 Ballantyne Corporate Place, president and CEO David Wilson said. The 240,000-square-foot building was built in 2013 and sits just south of Interstate 485.
The office space will allow the executive team to be in one place — Wilson along with the company’s general counsel, chief financial officer and chief digital officer will all move down to Charlotte. Four others on the executive team are already based in Charlotte.
Columbus McKinnon’s move will happen over the next year or so, Wilson said. The office will also be home to 65 research and development employees. It will have room to hire another 100 people, including positions in engineering, technology, finance, legal and human resources, Wilson said. Hiring will take place over the next five years.
The company reported 36% yearly growth at the end of its fiscal year in March, to a total of $906.6 million in revenue. Wilson said the company plans to increase revenue to $1.5 billion over the next five years.
“This is really about growth,” Wilson said of the move.
Columbus McKinnon will keep about 100 customer service and other employees in Buffalo.
Wilson said he was drawn to Ballantyne because some research and development employees were already there. He also pointed to the area’s growth. One example is “Ballantyne Reimagined,” a massive, 535-acre project being developed by Northwood Investors. The mixed-use site will have apartments, office and retail.
North Carolina presence
Wilson said bringing his core team together along with other employees will drive a better culture and improve its ability to work with customers, many of whom are located in the Southeast.
The company employs around 350 people in North Carolina, including about 150 at a manufacturing plant in Wadesboro, about an hour southeast of Charlotte. The company has operated that plant since the 1970s.
The company has customers from the airline and automotive industries to major wine vineyards. The CEO said he also sees potential for high growth in the electric vehicle industry as companies like Tesla are using its products.
“There’s a tremendous amount of support we’re providing for that next generation of activity,” Wilson said.
This story was originally published September 20, 2022 at 10:30 AM.
