Space for approximately 160 jobs
In Rock Hill, the STIWA Group purchased a property of approximately 30 acres. In the first stage of expansion, a 75,000 square feet building, consisting of a two-story office and a workshop, will be built. This will provide space for approximately 160 high quality jobs. The location is ideal for the company: Charlotte Douglas International Airport is just a half-hour drive away, and many customers are within a two-hour driving radius. "Our goal is to develop the new site in the USA into a fully-fledged STIWA plant, reflecting our expertise in mechanical engineering, manufacturing and software. In this way we will not only be able to serve our existing customers, but also attract new American customers, which we have already done with an order from Motorola," says Sticht.
The STIWA Group has been represented in the USA by a service and support branch since 2016 and has successively expanded its portfolio in recent years. The company currently employs more than 40 people in a leased facility in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
Start of apprenticeship training in preparation
Apprenticeship training is an essential cornerstone of the STIWA Group's success. Apprentices have been trained in Austria for more than 40 years. That is why the company wants to establish this successful model at its new U.S. headquarters. "Apprenticeship is a very high quality education with excellent career opportunities, making it a very attractive alternative to college. We are in close contact with local authorities and educational institutions and can also build on the experience of other companies that have already introduced an apprenticeship program. Preparations are already underway," says Andreas Prokesch, CEO of STIWA US INC.
