A unit of German conglomerate Siemens AG is investing $36 million in Wendell to improve customer experience and training, increase manufacturing and strengthen sustainability efforts — a move that could create 200 jobs in the Wake County town.
The company said in a news release Thursday that it is putting the money into the Siemens Electrification and Automation U.S. Headquarters in Wendell to meet demand in its growing data center, semiconductor and utility sectors.
The facility is expected to be home to a future 1.5 megawatt, solar-powered microgrid, the company said.
“The decision to expand the medium- and low-voltage power distribution and switchgear manufacturing facility was due in part to government funding-related opportunities, the need for a resilient domestic supply chain, and rising demand across industrial and energy markets, including data centers, semiconductor facilities and utilities,” the company said in a statement.
New prefabrication equipment is expected to boost the factory’s ability to conduct additional in-house work, the company said. The new capabilities optimize production processes, improve quality control, and enhance flexibility, Siemens said.
The facility has already created more than 250 new jobs over the past year, Siemens said. The company plans to hire more than 200 additional employees over the next four years, the company said.
“As we witness the transformation and evolution of the electrical infrastructure in America, we are seeing a growing need for reliable, clean, and affordable energy,” Matthias Rebellius, chief executive of Siemens Smart Infrastructure, said in a statement. “Our company’s ongoing investment in our U.S. footprint solidifies our commitment to not only continue driving innovation, but also provides the electrical foundation from which other industries can thrive.”
