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June 15, 2021 - The Gaston County Economic Development Commission is pleased to announce that KNOLL America, Inc. has agreed to purchase approximately 12 acres within the Apple Creek Corporate Center and will construct a 60,000 square foot headquarters operation and production facility. The new facility will also include a state-of-the-art training area, showroom, warehouse and distribution center. KNOLL America plans an initial investment of more than $7.89 million and intends to create approximately 31 new jobs at this location. “We are excited to have another global manufacturer choose North Carolina for its headquarters,” said North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. “This decision affirms our state’s reputation of having a strong manufacturing workforce and great quality of life.”

KNOLL America is the U.S. subsidiary for German-based KNOLL Maschinenbau GmbH. Founded by Walter Knoll in 1970, the company is family-owned and operated by second generation Matthias and Jürgen Knoll and globally employs more than 1,200 people. KNOLL engineers, manufactures, and distributes premier conveying, filter-systems and pumps for chips and cooling lubricants used in the metal processing industry. Their flexible assembly and transport systems complete the KNOLL product portfolio. KNOLL serves customers of all sizes from OEMs to end users to smaller distributors. “We felt immediately very welcomed. Gaston County provides an excellent manufacturing environment for our needs. The close proximity to major interstates and airport allows us to service most customers within a day. We can engage with Gaston College in developing young skilled talent for our operation and support their apprenticeship program. The small-town community feeling is like the area where our Germany Headquarters is located,” said Lothar Burger, CEO of KNOLL America. “This investment is made possible because our owners Matthias and Juergen Knoll believe in our local team and the strength of the North American market. This venture is part of their international initiative within the KNOLL Group.”

“This announcement is representative of how Gaston County continues to be a leader in the creation of advanced manufacturing jobs in the Charlotte region,” Tom Keigher, Chairman, Gaston County Board of Commissioners said. “Like many others that chose to locate here, KNOLL America is bringing high-quality jobs that pay above our county average, which is a huge win for our residents. We welcome KNOLL America and are proud they have chosen Gaston County as the location of choice for their headquarters and production facility.”

"As Chairman of the Gaston County Economic Development Commission, I want to extend our sincere appreciation to KNOLL America for announcing their newest advanced manufacturing operation which will be located in the beautiful Apple Creek Corporate Center. We welcome them to our community and are grateful for their investment which will create quality jobs for the residents of Gaston County. I would like to extend my deepest thanks to the Gaston County Board of Commissioners, Gaston College and the North Carolina Community College System, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the North Carolina General Assembly and the staff of the Economic Development Commission for their diligent work to make this project possible" stated Mr. Robert Browne, Chairman of the Gaston County Economic Development Commission.

The Gaston County Economic Development Commission would like to thank our partners in the successful location of KNOLL America, Inc. – the Gaston County Board of Commissioners, Alfred Benesch & Company, Two Rivers Utilities, Rutherford Electric Membership Corporation, Dominion Energy, Maxis Advisors, Gaston College, the North Carolina Community College System, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the North Carolina General Assembly and the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

Contact: Mr. Donny Hicks, Executive Director - Gaston County Economic Development Commission - 704-825-4046