Schmalz Inc. was pleased to host a groundbreaking event recently to celebrate the expansion to its headquarters facility in Raleigh, N.C., together with representatives from the project implementation team: Jim Sherrer, President of Design Development; Camilo Pena, Architect with Design Development; Melissa Davis, Project Manager with CT Wilson; Craig Herndon, Construction Manager with CT Wilson; Gary Vickerson, Vice President of Operations at Schmalz; Inc., John Feutz, Vice President of Strategic Operations at Schmalz, Inc.; Carrie McGlothlin, Vice President of Finance at Schmalz, Inc.; and Dr. Volker Schmitz, President & CEO of Schmalz, Inc.
Schmalz Inc. has been growing rapidly since it was founded here in Raleigh 22 years ago. The existing building of the US headquarters was only completed in July 2016; and due to continued, rapid growth over the past three years, the first significant expansion is already being executed ahead of schedule. The new construction will triple the size of the existing facility and is scheduled for completion and move-in by early December. The investments to date in the Raleigh location total well over $14 Million and counting as more significant investments are already planned in the coming years. The investments in just the last few years have led to a tripling of the staff and will lead up to 62 more new jobs over the coming years with average wages above the Wake County norms.
The additional building will provide more room for assembly and testing of the growing robotic automation and material handling systems product offerings. "This new setup will decisively improve the overall material flow at Schmalz Inc. from parts receipt, to manufacturing, testing, packaging and dispatch of the finished robot gripping tools and manipulator handling systems" said John Feutz, VP of Strategic Operations at Schmalz Inc.
Schmalz is the global leader in robotic vacuum automation products, robotic end-of-arm vacuum gripper tools, material handling vacuum lifters and manipulators as well as CNC vacuum clamping tools. The organization is a third-generation, privately held international company with a history dating back over 110 years. "We pride ourselves on re-investing 8% of annual revenues every year back into R&D, hiring and training of apprentices and co-op students and are a proud member of the NCTAP Apprenticeship Program here in Raleigh," said Gary Vickerson, VP of Operations at Schmalz Inc.
Schmalz Inc. is looking to bring continued growth to the area in the coming years. Since the recession in 2009, the company in Raleigh has grown at high double-digit rates every year for the last 12 years and counting. This growth is driven by the increased automation found in warehouse logistics and manufacturing at some of the leading U.S. manufacturers and ecommerce retailers.