North Carolina’s advanced manufacturing sector continues to expand as Judco Manufacturing, Inc. invests more than $5.3 million to relocate its corporate headquarters and R&D operations to Snow Hill in Greene County. The project will create 60 new jobs, reinforcing the state’s momentum in attracting high-value industrial employers.
Judco Manufacturing, a third-generation, family-owned company, produces precision electromechanical components for OEM and Tier 1 customers across the automotive, appliance, and industrial sectors. The company’s decision to move its corporate, engineering, and production operations into a new 50,000-square-foot facility aligns with broader regional trends favoring the Southeast as a manufacturing growth hub.
North Carolina’s automotive manufacturing footprint now includes more than 250 companies and 26,000 employees, according to data from the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The state also benefits from its proximity to more than 170 million customers within a day’s drive, a factor that continues to attract suppliers and component manufacturers seeking efficient distribution networks.
In a state announcement, Governor Josh Stein emphasized that North Carolina’s reputation for manufacturing excellence and workforce readiness remains a key draw for global firms.
“When companies that have a global footprint are looking for growth opportunities, North Carolina will continue to be the clear choice,” Governor Stein said.
Kurt George, President and CEO of Judco Manufacturing, called the relocation a major milestone for the company:
“North Carolina offers the right combination of workforce, infrastructure, and business climate to help us innovate and stay competitive in a rapidly changing automotive market.”
Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley noted that Judco joins an ecosystem of 20 top automotive suppliers already operating in the state, adding that North Carolina’s talent pipeline and training systems “will help develop the workforce needed for today and tomorrow.”
Although wages will vary by position, the company’s new roles will average $44,001 per year, surpassing Greene County’s current average of $39,698. The expansion could generate an annual payroll impact exceeding $2.6 million for the local economy.
Judco’s relocation is supported by a $125,000 performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund, which provides matching financial assistance to help communities attract new business investment. The fund only disburses payments once job creation and investment targets are achieved.
The project reflects a coordinated effort among several public and private entities, including the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the North Carolina Community College System, the North Carolina Global TransPark Economic Development Region, Greene County, and Duke Energy.
State Senator Buck Newton said the investment demonstrates the results of pro-growth policy and skilled labor investment, while Representative Chris Humphrey praised the move as a “vote of confidence” in eastern North Carolina’s industrial potential.
