Governor Glenn Youngkin | Governor Virginia.gov

Wabtec invests $2.7 million to increase capacity in the city of Salem, creating 38 new jobs

RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced that Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: WAB), a leading manufacturer for the heavy rail and rail transit industries worldwide, will invest $2.7 million to expand its existing Graham-White facility in the city of Salem to accommodate the relocation of its pneumatically controlled braking system production lines. Virginia successfully competed with Missouri, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Mexico for this project, which will create 38 new jobs.

“Wabtec Corporation’s expansion of its Salem facility is fueling the resurgence of high-quality manufacturing jobs in Virginia, and we thank the company for its longstanding commitment to the Commonwealth as a valued employer,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “The Roanoke region provides the skilled workforce and customized solutions to support Wabtec’s continued growth, and we are confident they will thrive in Virginia for the next 100 years.”

“We are proud that Wabtec Corporation is able to move its braking system production lines to the Salem facility thanks to its robust manufacturing talent in Virginia,” said Secretary of Commerce and Commerce Caren Merrick. “The growth of our existing businesses is vital to the economic vitality of the Commonwealth, and we thank Wabtec for strengthening Virginia’s manufacturing sector and creating 38 new jobs.”

“As a leading global provider of transportation solutions, we are proud of our long history of manufacturing excellence in Salem and excited to expand our business there,” said Mike Fetsko, President of Wabtec’s Freight & Industrial Components business. “Wabtec’s collaborative relationship with the Commonwealth of Virginia and business-friendly approach to state and local agencies gave us the confidence to make this significant investment. With new products and additional high-value manufacturing jobs, our expansion in Salem represents our continued commitment to the community and its key role in supporting Wabtec’s future growth.”

“With a centuries-long relationship in the region, it was important for area leaders to ensure Wabtec’s continued success. We applaud Wabtec leadership for choosing Salem as a location for continued growth for years to come. In addition, we thank the local and regional efforts of the City of Salem, Greater Roanoke Workforce Development Board, Center for Manufacturing Excellence in SWVA, and Roanoke Regional Partnership,” said Dave Robbins, EDA chairman of the City of Salem.

“This expansion is a testament to the region’s continued competitiveness in transportation equipment manufacturing,” said John Hull, executive director of the Roanoke Regional Partnership. “Wabtec, through its facility in Graham-White, has been manufacturing in the Roanoke area for more than a century. It is encouraging to see a long-established manufacturer expanding production and providing strong employment opportunities.”

“Wabtec’s Graham-White plant has a storied history in Salem and we are excited about what this investment will do for the 38 Roanoke families who will directly benefit from these new, high-value jobs,” said Senator David R. Suetterlein. “It is critical that Virginia continues to implement policies that make it easier to start and expand businesses in the Commonwealth.”

“I applaud Wabtec’s decision to expand their manufacturing operations in Salem,” said Rep. Joseph P. McNamara. “The Roanoke area has a rich tradition of providing well-paid blue-collar jobs. I commend all stakeholders, from VEDP to the City of Salem, for their efforts to enable new opportunities for our citizens.”

Since the early 1900s, Wabtec has partnered with transportation companies to develop heavy-duty pneumatic and electro-pneumatic valves and accessories. The company is a leading global provider of value-added equipment, systems, digital solutions and services to the freight and transit rail industry, as well as the mining, marine and industrial markets. The Graham-White facility, which currently employs more than 200 people in Salem, Virginia, manufactures air dryers, valves, meters/flowmeters and braking equipment for customers in the rail freight, rail freight, trucking and bus industries.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Salem and the Roanoke Regional Partnership to secure the project for Virginia and will support Graham-White Manufacturing in job creation through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP), which provides consulting services and financing to companies creating new jobs to support the recruitment and training of workers. As a business incentive to support economic development, VJIP reduces the personnel costs of new and growing companies. VJIP is state-funded and demonstrates Virginia’s commitment to improving citizen employment.

The City of Salem, Roanoke Regional Partnership, Greater Roanoke Workforce Development Board and Center for Manufacturing Excellence in SWVA will provide tailored programs to support the company’s expansion in Salem, including talent acquisition, marketing support and employee training.

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