Expansion At Burke County Company To Create Jobs – WHKY

Governor Roy Cooper’s Office, in conjunction with the North Carolina Department of Commerce, has announced the awarding of a Building Reuse grant to MillerKnoll Inc. to support a significant expansion of its manufacturing facility in Hildebran.

MillerKnoll announced plans for a major enhancement of its existing facility, a project made possible through a substantial state-funded grant from the North Carolina Department of Commerce. According to a news release from Burke Development Incorporated (BDI), this expansion highlights MillerKnoll’s steadfast commitment to growth and innovation within Burke County.

The expansion project will involve a comprehensive redesign of the production floor, the enlargement of restroom facilities, and the installation of new equipment to support additional production lines. It will also facilitate upgrades to power distribution, compressed air systems, sprinkler systems, and plumbing infrastructure. These improvements will bolster MillerKnoll’s capacity for new product development and insourcing efforts within a rapidly expanding and lucrative market segment.

The expansion will introduce two new production lines at the facility, increasing production capacity by 25%, and creating 47 new job opportunities. The project represents an investment of $1,008,000 in facility upgrades. The expansion will offer employment opportunities across technical, engineering, and skilled manufacturing roles.

Burke County, the grant applicant, and the town of Hildebran will contribute a 5% local match to support this initiative (this is pending approval by the Burke County Board of Commissioners at their meeting on August 20th). The grant will enable MillerKnoll to enhance its production capabilities, integrate advanced technologies, and improve operational efficiency.

MillerKnoll Inc., a leading designer and manufacturer of office furniture and related products, operates its Hildebran facility to serve diverse markets including healthcare, higher education, corporate offices, and residential sectors. Since the consolidation of two facilities into the current Hildebran location in 2011, the site has experienced significant growth and remains a key driver of MillerKnoll’s business.

Burke Development, Inc. (BDI) is a nonprofit organization supported by private and public funding that is charged with accelerating economic growth in Burke County.

[News release from Burke Development, Inc.]