Modine Manufacturing Company is to set up a new production line in Virginia to produce data center cooling solutions.
The thermal management systems and components company will convert its former warehouse located at 360 Collierstown Road in Rockbridge County into an operation producing ‘highly engineered data center cooling solutions.’
The company provides AC, fan walls, chillers, and building management systems for a number of industries including data centers.
“Virginia boasts the largest data center market in the country, and this growing industry requires state-of-the-art cooling systems manufactured by leaders like Modine,” said Governor Ralph Northam.
“We are grateful that this longtime Virginia employer has decided to deepen its roots in our Commonwealth, creating 21st-century jobs and producing a high-demand, world-class product right here in the Shenandoah Valley.”
Data center boom requires more factories
Headquartered in Racine, Wisconsin, the Modine Manufacturing Company has operated a manufacturing facility in Buena Vista, Virginia since 1963, employing more than 260 people. Virginia reportedly competed with several other states for the project, which will create 60 new jobs once fully online. The company will invest $7 million in the facility, while Governor Northam approved a $194,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Rockbridge County with the project.
“For 58 years, we have partnered with Rockbridge County to become a leading supplier of HVAC solutions for a variety of markets and end-users, and this investment signals a continued commitment to that mission,” said Neil Brinker, CEO of Modine Manufacturing Company.
“This site was selected as a result of the capabilities of the workforce, both hourly and salaried, and our confidence in their ability to quickly and safely begin producing high-quality HVAC solutions for our data center customers. We are excited to work with the Commonwealth of Virginia and Rockbridge County to begin hiring and equipping these new employees to meet the needs of our customers.”
Munters recently moved to a new factory in the state, while last month Kohler Power broke ground on a 155,000 square foot (14,400 sqm) expansion to its existing manufacturing facility in Mosel, Wisconsin.
Kohler will use the extra space for the production and testing of large generators above 2,000kW.
“The data center segment is a key pillar of our long-term growth strategy, as well as developing cleaner energy solutions with generators that lead the industry in power density and fuel economy, and contribute to a lower environmental impact,” said Brian Melka, group president of Kohler Power.
