RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that Lumbee Enterprises, a quality assurance provider of high-end inspection, sorting and engineering rework services in the automotive industry, will invest almost $2.6 million to open a facility in Pulaski County. The company will occupy the former Pfizer facility and perform post-manufacturing modifications for commercial trucks, with a potential of creating 30 to 50 jobs.
“Lumbee Enterprises is a great fit for Virginia and Pulaski County,” Governor Warner said. “The company will provide needed employment opportunities, the area boasts an available facility that meets its production needs, and Lumbee Enterprises will join the growing automotive cluster in the region.”
Lumbee Enterprises is an ISO 9001:2000 registered company and began operations in 1991 as a quality consulting, sorting and automotive parts re-certification company, working with Chrysler, General Motors, Ford and their various suppliers in and around the St. Louis, Missouri area. In June of 2001 Lumbee Enterprises of South Carolina was formed, working exclusively with BMW Manufacturing and its many suppliers worldwide. The company has since expanded services to other manufactures in the automotive and industrial truck industry. To date, Lumbee has sorted and reworked millions of parts and has gained a reputation throughout the automotive industry as a highly qualified, competent and professional service organization.
“Dublin, Virginia was a logical choice for Lumbee Enterprises,” said Joseph Clark, Managing Member. “In our business it is essential for us to have close proximity to our customer’s facilities. The size and location of the Pfizer building was a perfect fit for us. Lumbee desires to become a full service supplier for Volvo/Mack, providing many services to the New River Valley Plant as well as their supplier base. Volvo’s cooperation and team work environment along with the state’s incentives for smaller companies were major factors in our decision to invest in the region.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Pulaski County and the New River Valley Economic Development Alliance to secure the project for Virginia. The company is eligible to receive benefits from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development because it is locating in an enterprise zone. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will support the project with training assistance through its Workforce Services Program.
“We are glad to see this new company locate in Pulaski County and believe they will be of benefit to the entire New River Valley through the employment of area citizens and operational support of the New River Valley Truck Assembly plant,” said Joe Sheffey, Chairman, Pulaski County Board of Supervisors.