punker LLC has chosen Lincoln County, NC for relocation of its US operations and manufacturing expansion
Lincoln County, NC –
The NC Department of Commerce and Lincoln Economic Development Association officially announce punker LLC has chosen Lincoln County, NC for relocation of its US operations and planned manufacturing expansion. The state of North Carolina has awarded punker an $80,000 Building Reuse Grant and the local Board of Commissioners approved incentives in May for punker’s $2,000,000 investment and job creation in Lincoln County.
The punker group, headquartered in Eckernförde, Germany, has specialized in the development and manufacture of blower wheels and fan wheels in large and mid-size volumes since 1954. In 2012, punker LLC began operating in Hickory, NC to offer US based customers close to home service. Having earned a leading position in the market, punker has experienced growth which forced a larger facility search to accommodate their need for expansion. Lincoln Economic Development Association worked with punker throughout the site selection process and in negotiating terms on a 45,000 square foot facility in the Lincoln County Industrial Park. In addition to new investment, the company plans to add an additional 10 jobs to their existing staff of 15 and pay annual wages of over $43,000 which is above the county average.
In a statement from punker’s headquarter location in Germany, Dr. Henning Bähren, CEO, offers, “The punker team is very appreciative of the enthusiasm and support that the State of NC and Lincoln County has committed to our company throughout the process.” Ryan Kilkelly, Managing Director in Lincolnton, “We are very pleased to announce the opening of our new location in Lincolnton, NC. The building is in a great location, and is a perfect fit for our growth. It provides not only an opportunity to bring more jobs to the area, but it allows us to further expand our fan wheel manufacturing capabilities to meet the growing needs of our customers.”
County Commission Chair, Carroll Mitchem welcomed punker to Lincoln County at the incentive hearing in May, stating, “We are pleased that punker has chosen to locate their radial and cross flow wheel production to Lincoln County. Their efforts, in conjunction with LEDA, the County and the State, adds another excellent corporate member to our community, and it brings opportunity to our citizens.”
Joe Lampron, board chairman for Lincoln Economic Development Association, echoes the thoughts of the county commission. “LEDA is pleased to announce punker’s successful location to Lincoln County. We appreciate the opportunity to work with them and are grateful of their confidence in our community as a place they will succeed for many years to come.
punker is an official member of the Air Movement and Control Association International, Inc. (AMCA), an independent, international not-for-profit organization that develops, specifies and monitors standards and certifications for ventilation technology devices and applications. For more information about the company, visit www.punker-usa.com.
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About LEDA
Lincoln Economic Development Association is a private, 501c(3) non-profit corporation charged with facilitating industrial and office development in Lincolnton and Lincoln County. LEDA’s mission is to foster an economic environment that promotes an enhancement of the standard of living by creating more and better jobs for the citizens of Lincolnton and Lincoln County and an increased and diversified tax base to provide needed community services. The organization’s goals include retention and expansion of existing business; attraction of diversified base industries, improvement of the overall business climate within Lincolnton and Lincoln County and the growth of stage two entrepreneurial companies.