High-Tech German Manufacturer Result of Governor's Trade Mission
Newport News - Citing it as another example of his successful 1995 European trade mission, Governor George Allen today announced that MÜhlbauer, Inc., will begin construction of a $20 million manufacturing facility in Newport News. The 20,000 square-foot facility will initially invest $3 million and employ 50 during the first phase of construction. MÜhlbauer plans to hire an additional 100 employees over the next five years and increase its investment to $20 million. The Newport News facility will serve as the company's United States headquarters.
"MÜhlbauer is a rapidly expanding, high-tech business that brings a quality international presence to Newport News and further confirms Virginia's emergence as 'The Silicon Dominion'," said Governor Allen. "When I personally visited the MÜhlbauer facility in Bavaria during my June 1995 trade mission to Western Europe, I was truly impressed with their state-of-the-art operations. Today's groundbreaking proves that MÜhlbauer was also impressed with Virginia's pro-growth business environment. And it underscores the tangible benefits of our international trade missions, which have attracted over $176 million in new investments and contracts for Virginia businesses and families."
MÜhlbauer, Inc., is a subsidiary of MÜhlbauer High Tech International which is headquartered in RÖding, Bavaria in southern Germany. The company supplies high-volume robotics production systems for many aspects of the semiconductor industry, and its equipment is sold throughout the United States, Canada, South America, Europe, and Asia. MÜhlbauer also develops high-speed machinery to manufacture and process "smart cards"-- small plastic cards containing a computer chip used by a variety of industries.
"We are pleased to take part in this groundbreaking ceremony as we officially become a Virginia resident," said Josef MÜhlbauer, the company's chairman. "Virginia definitely offers a wealth of resources. We were most impressed with the State's active pursuit of high technology industries. Virginia's outstanding business climate, excellent transportation facilities and skilled technical labor pool also made our location decision simple."
MÜhlbauer, Inc., is the first tenant of the Jefferson Center for Research and Technology, a 200-acre high-tech park adjacent to the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, also referred to as the Jefferson Laboratory.
"MÜhlbauer's decision to locate in the Jefferson Center for Research and Technology is a positive step for the center's future," said Newport News Mayor Joe S. Frank. "We are delighted to welcome MÜhlbauer to the City of Newport News."
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