Gusmer Enterprises, Inc to invest $38.2 million in a new manufacturing facility, creating 73 jobs in Trivium Corporate Center

The City of Hickory, Catawba County, and the Catawba County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) welcome Gusmer Enterprises, Inc. as the fifth tenant in the Trivium Corporate Center. Gusmer Enterprises is headquartered in Mountainside, NJ with manufacturing facilities in Wisconsin and California. Gusmer Enterprises plans to construct a 135,000 square foot manufacturing facility to produce liquid filtration media and devices which are used in the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries, including filtration products that are used in the production of COVID-19 treatments. Over the next five years, Gusmer Enterprises plans to create 73 jobs and invest a minimum of $38.2 million in new facility construction, machinery, and equipment. Salaries for new employees will vary by position and experience with an overall average salary of $44,000, which is higher than the Catawba County average wage. The expansion of Gusmer Enterprises’ production was necessitated by growing market demand for its filtration products.

“As Gusmer began to review locations for our new manufacturing site, our goal was to identify a geographic location that offered an exceptional workforce, a competitive cost structure, and collaborative local partners that would help to execute our aggressive timeline,” said Marla Gusmer Jeffrey, President of Gusmer Enterprises, Inc. “After a comprehensive search with the many organizations involved in our project, we determined that Trivium Corporate Center, in the City of Hickory, Catawba County was the best fit for our new manufacturing site needs. As a 3rd generation family owned and operated business, we look forward to developing a long-standing relationship with the people and organizations in Hickory and Catawba County."

“We are honored that a company which produces products used in the process to combat the global pandemic has chosen Trivium Corporate Center,” said Randy Isenhower, chair, Catawba County Board of Commissioners. “They join a well-respected list of advanced manufacturers that have found a new home at Trivium, and their decision to locate in Catawba County is another testament to the quality of our workforce and training capabilities.”

“We realized at the beginning of the pandemic that there would be an opportunity to attract critical and essential industries to our area and supported establishing them as a target for economic development,” added Hank Guess, City of Hickory Mayor and chair, Trivium Corporate Center Board of Directors. “It is rewarding to be announcing, within months of each other, two companies that provide products for similar markets considered to be critical and essential which plan to invest a combined total of almost $100 million in our community.”

"Trivium Corporate Center was created to attract high-quality, low-impact manufacturers by providing a location that is close to amenities, training opportunities, and interstate connectivity,” said Mick Berry, Catawba County Manager and Trivium Corporate Center President. “The vision of the Catawba County Board of Commissioners and the Hickory City Council, along with the support of the voters who approved the bond funds that made that vision a reality, has done just that, and we are proud to be a part of that success.”

"The strong partnerships between economic development, education, and government in Catawba County is unique. Our efforts to assist existing employers and future new employers like Gusmer Enterprises show that we are committed to supporting their workforce needs over the long-term,” said Garrett Hinshaw, chair of Catawba County EDC and President of Catawba Valley Community College. “K-64, CVCC’s Workforce Solutions Complex, the Manufacturing Solutions Center, Hickory4Vets, Apprenticeship Catawba, and other workforce-oriented opportunities available to every company in Catawba County, as well as the investments we have made to develop quality sites and buildings and communities, provide a 1-2-3 punch that shows we are committed to providing a qualified, trained workforce and the industry support that will help them thrive in Catawba County.”

Gusmer Enterprises’ new manufacturing operation will house multiple departments, with plans to hire for a variety of positions, including production, maintenance, quality, and engineering in the first few years. Hiring is expected to begin in late 2021 through 2023.

The project location is contingent upon approval of local incentives, which will be considered at a joint public hearing by the City of Hickory, Catawba County, and the Trivium Corporate Center Board of Directors on April 13.

About Gusmer Enterprises, Inc.
Gusmer Enterprises Inc. specializes in filtration and fermentation products/services for food, beverage & pharmaceutical applications. With locations across the US, Gusmer is a leading manufacturer and distributor of filtration products, in addition Gusmer manufactures and represents many world-wide suppliers of products used in fermentation applications. Gusmer continues to be privately held and actively managed by the Gusmer family and is proud of the long-term collaborative partnerships that have been built.

Media Contacts:
Julie Pruett
Catawba County Economic Development Corporation
828-267-1564
jpruett@catawbacountync.gov

Scott Millar
Catawba County Economic Development Corporation
828-267-1564
smillar@catawbacountync.gov