Hitachi ABB Power Grids expands manufacturing capabilities in Bland, Virginia

Hitachi ABB Power Grids today announced plans to expand its manufacturing operations in Bland County, Virginia. In cooperation with the Commonwealth of Virginia and Bland County, the company is investing $6.2 million to upgrade existing equipment at the facility, the leading producer of dry-type transformers in North America, to provide additional capacity and enhance its advanced manufacturing capabilities to meet growing customer demand. The project will create 40 new jobs in Bland.

The Hitachi ABB Power Grids’ Bland facility currently employs more than 330 people engaged in the design and manufacture of medium voltage transformers used to adjust and stabilize the voltage of electricity flowing between the grid and homes, businesses and factories. Growing demand from power grid operators and other business customers is leading the company to ramp up production, which requires the purchase of new equipment and the renovation of existing productions lines.

The Bland facility, which recently received one of its largest-ever orders to date, has been in operation since 1972, and remains a linchpin of the company’s manufacturing footprint in the U.S., as well as in Virginia, where the company employs more than 800 workers overall. Among other upgrades, the investment will support the establishment of a new, closed-coil casting system that will enable the manufacture of larger components, and the installation of a new laser system, which will give the facility the capability to bid on additional projects.

“This project highlights Hitachi ABB Power Grids’ commitment to manufacturing here in the U.S. and in Virginia, with whom we have a long-standing, strong and productive relationship. As a company supporting the needs of one of the nation’s most essential industries, we are proud to be able to maintain and expand our operations, even at such a sensitive time,” said Steve McKinney, Senior VP and Hub Manager, Transformer Business for North America, Hitachi ABB Power Grids. “We are very happy with the workforce we have been able to build in the State, which is enabling us to meet and exceed the expectations of our customers, and we look forward to building on this success following the recent completion of our joint venture with Hitachi.”

Hitachi ABB Power Grids is leveraging its world-class power systems capabilities together with Hitachi’s advanced digital technologies and proven track record of innovation. The newly formed joint venture is pioneering a broader range of clean solutions for the global power market.

About Hitachi ABB Power Grids Ltd.
Hitachi ABB Power Grids is global technology leader with a combined heritage of almost 250 years, employing around 36,000 people in 90 countries. Headquartered in Switzerland, the business serves utility, industry and infrastructure customers across the value chain, and emerging areas like sustainable mobility, smart cities, energy storage and data centers. With a proven track record, global footprint and unparalleled installed base, Hitachi ABB Power Grids balances social, environmental and economic values. It is committed to powering good for a sustainable energy future, with pioneering and digital technologies, as the partner of choice for enabling a stronger, smarter and greener grid. https://hitachienergy.com

Hitachi ABB Power Grids’ North American headquarters are in Raleigh, North Carolina.