Hitachi ABB Power Grids to upgrade Virginia transformer plant

2020-10-5 The Roanoke Star

 Hitachi ABB Power Grids has announced it’s decision to invest $6.2 million to upgrade equipment and increase manufacturing capacity at its transformer plant in Virginia, USA.

The facility is already the largest private-sector employer in the county and the leading producer of dry-type transformers in North America. The Bland County operation successfully competed with other Power Grid manufacturing facilities across the United States for this project, which will create 40 new jobs.

“Hitachi ABB Power Grids has made tremendous contributions to Southwest Virginia and the Commonwealth for nearly 50 years, and we look forward to our continued partnership with this expansion,” said Governor Northam.

In operation since 1972, Hitachi ABB Power Grids’ Bland facility is responsible for the design and manufacture of medium voltage dry-type power transformers used to adjust and stabilize the voltage of electricity flowing between the electric grid and businesses, homes, and factories. The company employs more than 800 workers throughout Virginia, with approximately 332 at its Bland County facility.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Bland County Economic Development Authority, the Virginia’s Industrial Advancement Alliance, and the Port of Virginia to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Northam approved a $140,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Bland County with the project. The company is also eligible to receive benefits from the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant Program.

Funding and services to support Hitachi ABB Power Grids Transformer employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program. “On behalf of my fellow members of the Board of Supervisors, we are excited about this expansion,” said Chairman of the Bland County Board of Supervisors Adam Kidd.

“Hitachi ABB Power Grids has been a longstanding operation and to know that the company is willing to expand here in Bland County speaks volumes to the quality of the workforce in our area as well as the access to an excellent interstate system with a business-supporting community.”

“The Bland County Economic Development Authority is extremely proud that Hitachi ABB Power Grids has decided to expand its world-class operation in beautiful Bland County,” said Chairman of Bland County Economic Development Authority David Dillow.