Kearfott Expansion brings investment, manufacturing jobs to Swannanoa Valley

Press Release

From Economic Development Coalition for Asheville:

Asheville, N.C., February 28, 2014 – In conjunction with the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County (EDC), Kearfott Corporation, announced today a plan to expand its manufacturing facility in Black Mountain, North Carolina, with an investment of up to $11.9 million in facilities and equipment. If carried out in its entirety, Kearfott’s investment in Buncombe County will create 75 new positions including advanced engineering, quality control, production and management roles over a three-year period.

Originally founded in 1917 and acquired by Astronautics Corporation of America in 1988, Kearfott Corporation is an industry leader in advanced inertial navigation and motion control systems. Headquartered in Little Falls, New Jersey, the company is recognized as an innovator in the design and development of navigation and motion solutions for land, sea, air and space including NASA’s Voyager I Spacecraft, the first spacecraft to venture into interstellar space. In operation since 1955, the Black Mountain facility today employs 336 employees and manufactures sophisticated precision rotary components, actuators, electronics and stabilized sights.

“Kearfott carefully evaluated several potential locations for expansion, with Western North Carolina emerging as the clear winner,” said Kearfott President, Craig Scott. “Our high technology inertial and motion control product line developments depend on the highly- skilled workforce available in the region. We have had a long-standing presence in the area and are pleased to contribute to the well being of the community.”

“This company is truly the face of advanced manufacturing in Buncombe County,” said David Gantt, Chairman of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. “This high tech, highly skilled and well compensated workforce is recognized around the world for excellence and innovation. I am thrilled to see a world-class employer like Kearfott investing and creating jobs in our community,”

“Kearfott has been a tremendous asset to Western North Carolina for over 50 years and it is exciting to see them poised for growth,” said EDC Chairman Paul Szurek. “We expect them to continue to provide high-value jobs for the next generation. These are the types of jobs for which, just two weeks ago, Buncombe County dedicated its new STEM High School, better preparing our youth for meaningful careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.”

For more information on Kearfott Corporation and employment opportunities, please visitwww.kearfott.com.

The EDC for Asheville-Buncombe County is a public-private partnership committed to: creating and retaining high quality jobs, community leadership, and being a resource for better business decisions. The EDC accomplishes this mission through its four core services: business retention and expansion, small business and entrepreneurship, research, and marketing and recruitment. The EDC is funded by Buncombe County, the City of Asheville, the Town of Weaverville, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and the AVL 5×5 Campaign.

The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce is a member organization with over 1,800 member businesses and organizations. Chamber members collaborate with community organizations and coalitions to support the community and each other with the mission of building community through business. The Chamber is home to a 4,000 square foot Visitor Center which welcomes over 195,000 visitors per year.