The Daily Southerner, Tarboro, NC

Local News

April 15, 2011

Superior Essex plans expansion, 116 new jobs

EDITOR W. Terry Smith

The Daily Southerner — Superior Essex Inc., a global leader in the design, manufacture and supply of wire and cable products, intends to open a second manufacturing facility in Tarboro, Gov. Bev Perdue announced Thursday.

The company plans to create an additional 116 jobs over five years and invest incrementally more than $58 million in the facility. The project was made possible in part by a state grant from the Job Development Investment Grant JDIG) program.

This project will provide the infrastructure and equipment for Superior Essex to manufacture power cables for the commercial, industrial and utility markets.

While individual wages for the 116 jobs will vary by job function, the overall average for the new jobs will be $41,289 a year, not including benefits. The Edgecombe County average annual wage is $33,176.

The plant at 2801-2901 Anaconda Road employs more than 200 people on four shifts 24/7 producing copper telephone cable. The new facility will be next door in a 180,000 square foot building formerly owned by Nevamar Co.

"We have a very experienced workforce in place here that will be able to help us launch this new manufacturing operation and bring new employees up to speed quickly," said Carl Warren, plant manager. "We have had a successful history operating our existing facility in Tarboro. Our current plant has been in operation for many decades, and we have been pleased with the workforce in the area and the support from the local community."

The Tarboro plant began operating in October 1966 and was originally known as the Anaconda Wire and Cable Co.

Superior Essex is part of LS Cable, a multi-industry corporation with approximately 10,000 employees and more than 70 offices in 24 countries. LS Cable supplies a wide range of energy and telecom solutions for the energy, infrastructure, construction, automotive, railway, telecommunications and electronic industries.

“We are extremely pleased to be expanding our business into the power cable market segment and to be partnering with the state of North Carolina in the process,” said Stephen Carter, CEO of Superior Essex Inc.

JDIGs are awarded only to new and expanding businesses and industrial projects whose benefits exceed the costs to the state and which would not be undertaken in North Carolina without the grant.

Under the terms of the JDIG, the company is eligible to receive a grant equal to 65 percent of the state personal income withholding taxes derived from the creation of new jobs for each of the nine years in which the company meets annual performance targets. If Superior Essex meets the targets called for under the agreement, the JDIG could yield $1.2 million in maximum benefits for the company

“Once again we won the day with our job-ready workforce, business friendly climate and outstanding infrastructure – the results of our policies and hard-fought investments in education and worker training," said Perdue. "My top priority is jobs."

"We in the Town of Tarboro are excited by the announcement that Superior Essex  has chosen our town to expand and grow their operations," said Mayor Donald Morris. "Our existing industrial base will be strengthened by this addition.

"Since January, three industries (QVC, Keihin CST and Superior Essex) have announced expansions," Morris said. "To me that says they have a lot of faith in  our work force. That should open the eyes of other industries. We have a lot to  offer."

Chairman of the Edgecombe County Board of Commissioners Leonard Wiggins said, "The Edgecombe County Commissioners are energized by Superior Essex Energy's announcement that they will create 116 jobs and invest $58 million in Tarboro.

"Superior has been and continues to be a great corporate citizen."

Carolinas Gateway Partnership Chairman Frank Harrison said, "The Partnership is pleased to have assisted Superior Essex Energy.  With our available workforce and positive business climate, this confirms the advantages of a Twin County location for companies doing business throughout the Southeast.

"Superior will be providing much needed jobs to the area's workers that are so important in these tough economic times."

Carolinas Gateway Partnership is a coalition of over 200 public and private sector investors from the Twin Counties, City of Rocky Mount, Town of Tarboro, and the Town of Nashville.

“These jobs are part of the answer to communities like Tarboro, hammered by the recession and looking for help,” said state Sen. Clark Jenkins of Tarboro. “But this great news also delivers a response to our critics who want to do nothing but cut and slice away the very economic development tools that enabled us to grow these jobs here in North Carolina.”

“In this day and this economy, education equals jobs,” said state Rep. Joe Tolson, of Pinetops. “Our state is where we are today, and Superior Essex is creating these jobs today, because we have invested in educating and training our workforce. Today’s education investments are tomorrow’s jobs.”

Superior Essex, based in Atlanta, has an 80-year company heritage in the production and supply of cable and wire products for many commercial and industrial applications. It operates 20 manufacturing facilities throughout the world, including 10 manufacturing locations in the United States.  It is the largest manufacturer in the world of copper telephone cable and magnet wire. It also is a leading supplier of data cable products, fiber optic cable products, fabricated electrical products and enamels.

For more information about Superior Essex, including job opportunities, visit www.superioressex.com.

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