German manufacturer to invest over $38M, add nearly 200 jobs in Charlotte region

A German electrical manufacturing company has chosen Iredell County for its U.S. expansion and promises to create nearly 200 jobs in the Charlotte region.

DEHN Inc. will invest more than $38.6 million and create 195 jobs from 2025 to 2029 in Iredell County, the North Carolina Economic Investment Committee said Tuesday during its regular meeting. The family-owned German electrical engineering company specializes in manufacturing surge and lightning protection systems as well as safety equipment.

The state committee approved $1.2 million in tax incentives for DEHN Inc. over 12 years for its project in Mooresville, just north of Charlotte, according to a news release from Gov. Roy Cooper’s office. DEHN Inc. is a U.S. and Caribbean subsidiary for DEHN SE, based in Neumarkt, Germany.

DEHN’s U.S. headquarters in Mooresville will include a production facility, research and development divisions, and training center. DEHN will manufacture and offer market-specific parts at its new U.S. location.

The average annual salary will be $66,120, which is higher than Iredell County’s average wage of $63,674.

The company didn’t say where in Mooresville it’s considering building its 200,000-square-foot plant.

DEHN is considering several sites in town, Jenn Bosser, president and CEO of the Iredell County Economic Development Corp., told The Charlotte Observer.

DEHN plans to lease and immediately occupy a 30,000-square-foot space as the company starts on the 70,000-square-foot first phase construction of a permanent building, Bosser said. Full build-out to 200,000 square feet is anticipated by December 2030.

The company also hasn’t announced the location of the 30,000-square-foot space where it hopes to temporarily open.

DEHN also will receive $900,000 in tax incentives each from the town of Mooresville and Iredell County.

DEHN’s site search started with 400 U.S. locations and was narrowed down to three. Along with Mooresville, also considered were Columbia, S.C., and Auburn, Alabama.

Factors DEHN considered included labor, workforce quality, quality of life, cost of living, infrastructure and international travel accessibility, committee officials said. There are some 200 German-owned firms operating in the Charlotte region.

The 114-year-old company has about 2,400 workers worldwide.

This story was originally published January 23, 2024 at 1:16 PM.