International manufacturing company to invest $57.2 million in a new facility in Virginia

Richmond, Virginia – Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that Condair Group AG, a global leader in evaporative cooling technology, will invest $57.2 million to establish a new production facility in Chesterfield County, Virginia. This significant investment will create 180 new jobs and mark an important expansion for the Swiss-based company in the North American market.

Condair’s new 400,000-square-foot production facility is expected to begin operations in early 2025. This development is a result of Virginia successfully competing against South Carolina to secure the project. Governor Youngkin highlighted the state’s strategic location and robust business climate as key factors in attracting Condair. He stated, “Virginia is the perfect location for the international company Condair to establish its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that meets the large-scale industrial cooling needs for the data center industry.”

Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick emphasized the importance of this expansion for Virginia’s manufacturing sector, saying, “We are proud to welcome Condair to Chesterfield County and are excited that the Commonwealth’s thriving manufacturing sector continues to attract companies like Condair with our strong business climate, location, and talent pipeline.” She encouraged interested applicants to apply for the new jobs that will be created.

Condair’s CEO, Oliver Zimmermann, expressed enthusiasm about the new facility’s potential to enhance the company’s production capabilities and client engagement. “The establishment of the Richmond site will not only bolster our production capabilities but also facilitate closer engagement with our clients, particularly in the data center sector,” he said.

Local officials are equally optimistic about the project’s impact. James Holland, chair of the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors, said, “Chesterfield is excited to welcome this foreign direct investment project from Condair.” He added that the project would leverage the county’s strategic location and world-class workforce to create a state-of-the-art manufacturing space.

Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan echoed this sentiment, highlighting the economic benefits of the investment. “This robust investment is a testament to Virginia’s qualified workforce and our ongoing efforts to support businesses throughout the Commonwealth,” she said. “This new production facility will create hundreds of good-paying jobs and strengthen our local economy.”

Senator Ghazala Hashmi and Delegate Delores McQuinn also praised the investment, noting its potential to enhance the quality of life for residents and contribute to the region’s vitality. McQuinn stated, “The creation of these new employment opportunities will be crucial to enhancing the quality of life for many of our residents.”

Jennifer Wakefield, President and CEO of the Greater Richmond Partnership, pointed out the strategic advantages of the new facility’s location. “As the Richmond region becomes a destination for data center activity, it only makes sense that a respected supplier such as Condair would seek a business-friendly location such as ours,” she said.

Stephen A. Edwards, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority, highlighted the broader economic impact of Condair’s decision. “The Port of Virginia will be among the beneficiaries of Condair’s location in Chesterfield County,” he said. “We are ready to collaborate with Condair to help it leverage the assets of this port to ensure it has access to world markets.”

Founded in Switzerland in 1948, Condair Group AG is a global leader in humidification, dehumidification, and evaporative-cooling manufacturing. The company operates production sites in Europe, North America, and China, with sales and service organizations in 23 countries and representatives in 50 locations worldwide. Condair’s major clients include Amazon Web Services and Microsoft, along with other data center and supercomputing operators.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Chesterfield County and the Greater Richmond Partnership to secure this project. Governor Youngkin approved a $700,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Chesterfield County with this project. The company is also eligible for benefits from the Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit and the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Zone Grant Program.

Support for Condair’s job creation will be provided through the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, a workforce initiative created by VEDP in collaboration with the Virginia Community College System and other higher education partners. This program accelerates new facility start-ups by delivering customized recruitment and training services at no cost to qualified new and expanding companies.

With this significant investment, Condair Group AG is set to make a substantial impact on Virginia’s economy and workforce, while enhancing its own production capabilities and market presence in North America.