Zion Industries, Inc. to Expand with Help from NC Rural Center Grant
Company to Double Manufacturing Space and Add 15 Jobs
BURKE COUNTY, N.C. (August 28, 2012) – Zion Industries, Inc., in partnership with the Town of Hildebran, are proud to announce they are the recipients of a $75,000 Building Reuse and Restoration Grant from the NC Rural Center. The grant will allow Zion to build an addition onto its current facility, doubling manufacturing space and allowing the company to add 15 new jobs.
“We are excited for the opportunity to expand our business at our Hildebran facility,” said Bob Puls, Zion Industries, Inc. President. “The building expansion will enable us to continue to seek additional business and much needed floor space for the current operations. The grant process was made very easy with the help of Burke Development, Inc. and the Town of Hildebran.”
Zion, which specializes in high volume induction heat treating, has been in business since 1977 and opened its North Carolina location at its current facility in Hildebran in 2000. Since opening, the facility has experienced steady growth and now requires additional space to meet the needs of its existing customer base.
“The Town of Hildebran is proud to be able to assist one of our local businesses in solidifying its footing so that it may continue to grow and be an asset to our community,” said Hildebran Mayor Karen Robinson. “We’re proud to have Zion Industries as a member of our growing business community and the planned increase of 15 positions will be a great benefit to our citizens.”
The building, constructed in 1994, is currently 11,312 square feet and the 10,000 square foot addition will nearly double the company’s production space. Zion presently has 22 full time employees. The 15 new jobs being created as a result of the expansion include positions for machine setup, machine operator, inspector and shipping/receiving.
“When we have companies that are not only staying busy in these economic times but are in a position to grow, I think that’s great,” said Wayne Abele, Burke County Board of Commissioners Chairman. “We’re proud to have Zion here in Burke County and happy they are adding employees.”
The renovations and building expansion is now underway. Company executives said they expect it to be complete by the first of December.
“BDI appreciates the strong economic development support on this project from Senator Warren Daniel and Representative Hugh Blackwell,” said Scott Darnell, President of Burke Development, Inc., who also aided in securing the grant.
About Burke Development, Inc.
Burke Development, Inc. (BDI) is a nonprofit organization supported by private and public funding that is charged with accelerating economic growth in Burke County. BDI works with industry leaders, site selection consultants, government agencies and other entities to facilitate expansion strategies for existing businesses and recruit target industries to Burke County. For more information about BDI visit
BurkeDevInc.com.
About Zion Industries, Inc.
Since its founding in 1977, Zion Industries has been a leader in the induction heat treating business providing high quality both in heat treating services and handling equipment for induction heating applications. Today Zion’s 100+ employees serve customers nationwide with facilities in Ohio, North Carolina and Michigan. We specialize in high volume heat treatment production, equipment, part development and consulting. For more information, visit
www.zioninduction.com.
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Contact:
Sara Chester
828.674.3141