Bosch Rexroth Expands Business in N.C.; Mecklenburg County Breaks Ground on $11M Uptown Park

By Amalia Otet, Associate Editor

Aiming at economic recovery, the Queen City is on the right track as it continues to attract major investors to its grounds.

Bosch Rexroth, one of the world’s leading specialists in the field of drive and control technologies, recently announced the expansion of its manufacturing activities in Charlotte, resulting in the creation of 45 new jobs. The company has leased 67,700 square feet in the Silverlake Business Park to house a new warehousing and shipping operation, according to the Charlotte Business Journal.

With its North American headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Ill., Bosch Rexroth is currently focused on growth and improvement of services, and the new facility will help provide just that; in addition, a wider range of products will be available from one location. “By centralizing the manufacturing of key factory automation products in Charlotte, we have positioned ourselves for significant future growth,” said Berend Bracht, regional president of Bosch Rexroth in the Americas, in a press release. “The logistical convenience of the Charlotte airport, wide range of available local services and the close proximity to our mobile applications lead plant in Fountain Inn, S.C. were also key reasons for expansion here.”

More jobs are also coming to Kings Mountain as domestic fabric producer Specialty Textiles Inc. plans to expand its residential upholstery business and make an investment of about $4.9 million in the new project. The expansion will include the addition of 32,000 square feet to its Cleveland County facility and the creation of 62 new jobs. A state grant in the amount of $56,000 coming from the One North Carolina Fund will be awarded to the company in support of its endeavor, as reported by the Charlotte Business Journal.

In other news, county officials recently celebrated the groundbreaking of the long-planned $11 million Romare Bearden Park that’s going to add “signature” green urban space to Charlotte’s Uptown area. The park will sit on a 5.2-acre parcel located in the Third Ward, a few blocks north of Bank of America Stadium. The development is expected to be complete by late 2012, according to a WFAE 90.7 FM story.