Advanced Manufacturing

ADVANCED MANUFACTURING IN THE NRV

The talented and loyal workforce of Virginia’s New River Valley is proud to manufacture using the highest levels of technology and robotics. From Volvo Trucks North America to Kollmorgen, advanced manufacturing has many faces in the region. The NRV is “A Natural Fit” for new manufacturers looking to put down roots in our comparatively low-cost region.

INDUSTRY STATS

164 COMPANIES

12,633 JOBS

12% JOB GROWTH

PAST 5 YEARS (2019)

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY VIDEOS

MFG Industry Hub in the NRV

MFG Jobs in the NRV: Find Your Career

MFG Jobs in the NRV: Making Ideas Reality

Virginia’s New River Valley

FOREIGN TRADE ZONE #238

A foreign trade zone (FTZ) is a secure and enclosed area, located near or in a Port of Entry. An FTZ is considered to be outside U.S. customs territory, meaning that foreign and domestic materials or merchandise may be moved into it without being subject to U.S. customs duties until the goods enter U.S. commerce. The New River Valley is a part of FTZ #238.

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PRIMARY SUB-SECTORS

CHEMICALS

PLASTICS & MATERIALS

AUTOMOTIVE

MOTION CONTROL SYSTEMS

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Advanced Manufacturing Accolades 2

Advanced Manufacturing Accolades 3

Advanced Manufacturing Accolades 1

Advanced Manufacturing Accolades 4

MAJOR EMPLOYERS

BUSINESS ADVANTAGES

Strategic Location

I-81 runs through the heart of the NRV, and the region has easy access to I-77 and I-64. This makes transportation to large distribution centers in the Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest markets easy for many of the advanced manufacturing businesses in the area.

Workforce

The workforce is both entrepreneurial in spirit and loyal; employees tend to stay here for a long time. Plus, institutions like Virginia Tech, Radford University, and New River Community College provide ample researchers, upper-level talent, and technically skilled employees.

Business Community

The region’s diverse and innovative business community is very collaborative. Home to many foreign-based corporations and technology companies, organizations in the NRV benefit from an approachable network of professionals.

“Though H&V has 7 plants in the U.S., the NRV location has repeatedly been selected for strategic expansions due to the state and local government support and the skilled and cooperative workforce in the area.”

Vince Hatcher, Plant Manager at Hollingsworth & Vose

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT ASSETS

Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI)

Virginia Tech VTTI Research Centers

Virginia Tech Center for Engineering Logistics Distribution (CELDi)

Virginia Tech Center for High Performance Manufacturing (CHPM)

Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design

Center for Injury Biomechanics

Center for Power Electronic Systems

FEATURED SITES & BUILDINGS

CAREER & TECHNICAL TRAINING

NRV Public Schools

Career & Technical Education in the NRV public schools flourishes due to partnership with companies that provide students with enhanced skills development and career awareness.

New River Community College

VT Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design

Virginia Tech

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

“Volvo Trucks appreciates the craftsmanship and pride in manufacturing seen here in the New River Valley. Our workers are highly capable, fully engaged, and have a sense of innovation in building all of the premier quality Volvo Trucks sold in the North American market. The warm spirit and welcoming environment of the NRV makes it easy to be an international business in this area.”

Franky Marchand, Vice President & GM of Volvo Trucks NRV Plant

Advanced Manufacturing