CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin was among the dignitaries taking part in the recent ribbon-cutting ceremonies marking completion of Plasser American’s new 82,000-square-foot manufacturing facility.
Also on hand for opening of the facility, allowing Plasser to more efficiently manufacture its maintenance and other railway machinery at the site that has been its home since 1970, were Johannes Max-Theurer, CEO of Austrian parent company Plasser & Theurer, and Austrian Ambassador to the U.S. Petra Schneebauer.
The expanded facility adds 75 new jobs, bringing Plasser to more than 375 employees. The company averages construction of 40 machines per year, and has built more than 1,800 while delivering more than 2,500.
“Plasser American stands on the cusp of a new era,” Thomas Blechinger, Plasser American CEO, said during the Oct. 5 ceremonies. “Just as the railroad played a pivotal role in our past, it is set to play a transformative role in our future. The renewed emphasis on sustainable practices and environmentally friendly solutions has rekindled interest in rail transport. With its energy efficiency and lower environmental impact, the railway industry is poised to redefine the way, yet again, how we move goods and people across the nation.”
The new facility is part of a $32 million investiment in the Plasser campus, with an overall goal of increasing finished machine output by 100%. It includes four 50-ton overhead cranes and four new tracks tied into the facility’s existing network, allowing improved material movement and streamlined manufacturing processing.
Visit the Plasser American website for more on the company and its products.
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