Gates to add $8 million factory in south-west Virginia

Richmond, Virginia - Gates Corp., the Tomkins PLC subsidiary, is to build a new factory in Virginia for hydraulic products. The investment of around $8 million (€6 million) will create 172 new jobs, according to a statement from the Governor of Virginia, Timothy Kaine.

Tomkins confirmed the plant will produce hydraulic assemblies, while local sources indicated the factory will be on stream in September of this year.

Kaine's statement said Gates had selected Virginia over another potential location in Tennessee. The factory wil beGates' first in the State of Virginia. The plant will be located in Highlands Business Park, Glade Spring in south-west Virginia.

The local newspaper, Smyth County News and Messenger quoted Scott Day, director of manufacturing for North American Hydraulics for Gates saying "Hopefully by July, we'd like to start interviewing, start the hiring process."

Tomkins said it has not yet made any official announcement about the project, so declined to add any further details to the story.

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Press release from Virginia Governor's office

New industry expects to employ 172 Smyth County news & Messenger (country)