The Roberts Company to Expand Operations in Pitt County
Winterville, NC (May 13, 2011) -- Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that The Roberts Company, a provider of design, fabrication and installation services for the chemical, power, mining and pulp and paper industries, will expand with a new facility in Pitt County. The company plans to create 29 jobs and invest $3.25 million during the next three years in Winterville. The project was made possible in part by an $80,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund as well as funding from Pitt County, North Carolina’s Eastern Region, the Town of Winterville, and the Pitt County Committee of 100.
“North Carolina remains attractive to manufacturers looking to grow because we have a top-ranked business climate and skilled workforce,” said Gov. Perdue. “My top priority is creating jobs and it’s clear that we’ve got momentum when employers like The Roberts Company decide to expand in North Carolina.”
The Roberts Company works around the world for large heavy manufacturers and mining facilities to provide engineering, fabrication, construction and plant-start up services. The company specializes in fabrication and repair of complex ASME Code steel pressure vessels and heat exchangers. The Roberts Company has been in Winterville since 1986 and currently employs 460 in North Carolina. The company has negotiated the purchase of a 90,000 square foot building, formally the Fullarton Manufacturing Facility, located at 176 Laurie Ellis Road in Winterville.
“The Roberts Company has enjoyed the benefits of the excellent workforce available in eastern North Carolina and we are very pleased to be able to expand our operation in Pitt County. This new facility will enhance our fabrication capabilities and allow us to continue our growth and success in serving our customers locally as well as internationally,” says Chris Bailey, President and CEO of The Roberts Company.
“The Roberts Company has been an important part of the Pitt County industrial community for over twenty years. They are considered experts and pioneers in their line of work and have brought global attention to our area. Roberts provides high skilled, high paying jobs and invests a great deal of time training and adding skill sets to their workforce,” said Scott Poag, Existing Industries Coordinator with the Pitt County Development Commission.
Salaries will vary by job function, but the average annual wage for the new jobs will be $40,480 plus benefits. The Pitt County average annual wage is $30,628.
"An economic development project like this truly fits the mission of the Pitt County Committee of 100. Roberts being a local home grown company is an added bonus," says Phil Hodges, Chairman of the Pitt County Committee of 100
The Pitt County Committee of 100 along with North Carolina’s Eastern Region, Pitt County, and the Town of Winterville are providing the local match for the One North Carolina Fund grant from the State.
“The Town of Winterville is extremely excited to have the opportunity to be a part of such an important project for Winterville and Pitt County. On behalf of the Town Council, I would like to thank all of the agencies who worked together to bring the project to fruition. The Town looks forward to the continuing our relationship with The Roberts Company and we are proud to have them as a part of our community,” says Terri Parker-Eakes, Town Manager, Town of Winterville.
"It is very encouraging to have another positive job creation announcement in the region, especially at the wage levels offered by The Roberts Company. This company is important in the continued development of several important regional clusters like life science and value-added agriculture," says John Chaffee, President and CEO of North Carolina’s Eastern Region.
For more information about The Roberts Company, including job opportunities, go to www.robertscompany.com.
