Haulotte North America already moved its corporate headquarters from Frederick, Maryland to Virginia Beach in September, but local leaders are officially welcoming the equipment supplier to the neighborhood on Wednesday with a grand opening celebration.
Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms lauded the company’s arrival last year during his 2015 state of the city speech saying the company, which makes mechanical lifts for construction and manufacturing, promised to bring 67 jobs offering average annual salaries of $70,000 within three years. So far, the company has created 44 jobs, according to a statement announcing Wednesday’s event.
Scott Hall, business development coordinator with Virginia Beach’s economic development department, said that number is expected to grow. The city gave the company a $150,000 grant as an incentive to move its headquarters to Virginia Beach, he said.
The French company’s North American division moved to an 84,000 square-foot space at 3409 Chandler Creek Rd. The company still manufactures its equipment in Ohio.
Guy Burkholder, with Haulotte North America’s human resources department, said several people, including himself, moved from Maryland and Ohio to work at the Virginia Beach headquarters.
“We are now better positioned to deliver outstanding products and provide the required sales and service support, along with the quality training that this facility was designed for,” said Claude Fuger, managing director of Haulotte North America, in a statement. “Our Virginia Beach facility now features the space and resources we had been looking for to maintain a competitive edge and to further demonstrate Haulotte Group’s long-term commitment to North America.”
By Kimberly Pierceall
The Virginian-Pilot
