The Economy

Appliance Maker Opens North American Headquarters in Charlotte

Nov. 22, 2010

Electrolux is hiring nearly 300 additional employees to staff facility.

Appliance manufacturer Electrolux recently celebrated the formal opening of its new North American headquarters in Charlotte, N.C.

The 216,000-square-foot facility, located in the University Area of northeast Charlotte, was built in 2000 and renovated by Electrolux in 2010 at a cost of approximately $13 million, according to the company.

The building already houses the company's North American Major Appliances and Professional sectors, along with the Electrolux International team, which includes global licensing.

By the end of 2011, the Electrolux North American Floor Care sector and Group holding functions, such as legal and treasury, also will relocate to the Charlotte facility, according to the company

Kevin Scott, president and CEO, Electrolux Major Appliances North America, and North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue at the Electrolux North America Headquarters"The Electrolux North America Headquarters supports our company's objective to become a unified team, working toward common goals . . . to be 'One Electrolux' across all regions of the world," said Kevin Scott, head of Electrolux Major Appliances North America. "Working together under one roof allows us to improve coordination and better serve the needs of our customers, our business and our shareholders, and we are already seeing early signs that the decision to become 'One Electrolux' was the right one for our North American businesses." The company noted that it plans to expand its employment ranks at the facility from 450 to 738 people within five years. Building renovation consisted of minimal demolition and rebuild, according to Electrolux. The company said it retrofitted, updated and reused 475 workstations, while newly specified finishes and furnishings incorporated low-VOC-emitting materials and 75% of construction waste was diverted from landfill.

About the Author

Josh Cable | Former Senior Editor

Former Senior Editor Josh Cable covered innovation issues -- including trends and best practices in R&D, process improvement and product development. He also reported on the best practices of the most successful companies and executives in the world of transportation manufacturing, which encompasses the aerospace, automotive, rail and shipbuilding sectors.

Josh also led the IndustryWeek Manufacturing Hall of Fame, IW’s annual tribute to the most influential executives and thought leaders in U.S. manufacturing history.

Before joining IndustryWeek, Josh was the editor-in-chief of Penton Media’s Government Product News and Government Procurement. He also was an award-winning beat reporter for several small newspapers in Northeast Ohio.

Josh received his BFA in creative writing from Bowling Green University, and continued his professional development through course-work at Ohio University and Cuyahoga Community College.

A lifelong resident of the Buckeye State, Josh currently lives in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland. When the weather cooperates, you’ll find him riding his bike to work, exercising his green thumb in the backyard or playing ultimate Frisbee.