German industrial fan manufacturer relocates North American headquarters to Winston-Salem with $100 million expansion


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                                                               City of Burlington

Economic Development Department


On November 16, 2022, Governor Roy Cooper announced that Ziehl-Abegg, Inc., a German commercial ventilation systems manufacturer, will relocate its North American headquarters to Winston-Salem from Greensboro. The expansion in Forsyth County wilcsm_ziehl-abegg-usa_5cc960a57cl create 189 new jobs and involve over $100 million in company investment. Altogether, the positions have an average annual salary of $59,479; the new jobs have the potential to create an annual payroll impact of more than $11.2 million for the region.

Ziehl-Abegg’s expansion to a new state-of-the-art 500,000 square-foot building will increase its production capabilities and distribution for North America. Moving from Greensboro to Winston-Salem, the company is anticipating a continued path of growth – though the first phase of the expansion project anticipates just under 200 jobs created, the hope is to grow to over 500 at this location very rapidly, as said by Chief Operating Officer Joachim Ley. Founded in 1910, the motor manufacturer produces innovative industrial fan systems and motors with 5,000 employees blue fanworldwide. The company has fans for various commercial applications including hospitals, schools, data centers, and various agricultural uses.

A performance-based grant of $400,000 from the One North Carolina Fund, dependent on a capital investment from the company of $24.5 million, will help with Ziehl-Abegg’s expansion in North Carolina. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and to create jobs. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All One NC grants require matching participation from local governments and any award is contingent upon that condition being met. 

Manufacturing is an integral part of the North Carolina industry fabric, and it is always exciting to see such outstanding news! Burlington’s Economic Development is excited to see what comes next!



Isabella DeLaGarza, EYOS Fellow

City Contact
Isabella DeLaGarza
425 S. Lexington Ave. 
Burlington, NC 27215
idelagarza@burlingtonnc.gov
burlingtonnc.gov/ed