RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced that Novatech Group, a leading Quebec manufacturer of doorglass, steel doors, patio doors, retractable screens, and insulated glass with or without blinds, will invest $3 million to establish its first U.S. manufacturing operation in Henry County. The company will lease a 100,000-square-foot facility to produce and distribute a variety of patio doors. Virginia successfully competed against six other states for this project, which will create 50 new jobs.
“When an international company chooses Virginia for its first U.S. manufacturing facility, it is an excellent testament to the Commonwealth’s competitiveness on a global level,” said Governor McAuliffe. “Novatech Group’s innovative architectural products have earned recognition and accolades around the world, and we are confident that this stellar reputation will grow as the company expands its footprint in the U.S. from Henry County. Novatech will be a tremendous addition to the advanced manufacturing cluster in Martinsville-Henry County, and we thank this leading manufacturer for contributing to our efforts to diversify and build a new Virginia economy.”
“Expanding Virginia’s advanced manufacturing industry is a priority for this administration, and it is gratifying when global companies like Novatech select the Commonwealth for entry into the U.S. market,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Todd Haymore. “Virginia is home currently to nearly 6,000 manufacturing businesses that employ more than 242,000 workers. Novatech adds to this growing roster and will benefit from the Commonwealth’s world-class assets, strategic access to the company’s growing customer base, and the robust workforce of Southern Virginia.”
Founded by Raymond Ouellette, now Chairman of the Board, Novatech Group is a Quebec manufacturing company that started out in the doorglass market in 1982. The company now has more than 30 years of experience and manufactures custom doorglass, steel doors, patio doors, door frames, retractable screens and insulated doors with or without blinds. Novatech’s facilities are ultra-modern and cover a combined area of over 700,000 square feet. Novatech operates more than 12 plants in Canada and Europe, and distributes its products internationally. The company’s transformation from local supplier to North American leader continues to accelerate, and encompasses the pursuit of excellence, automation and innovation at all levels of the company. In 2015, Deloitte named Novatech Group as one of “Canada’s Best Managed Companies.”
“Novatech’s new plant in Virginia is a first step in our expansion into the United States. In doing so, we are realizing a dream,” said Harold Savard, CEO and President of Novatech Group. “This investment will allow us to better serve our existing U.S. customers and grow our capacities closer to key markets. Overall, it endorses our corporate business strategy. We moved forward with this decision because of the support that we have received from Martinsville -Henry County, the Commonwealth of Virginia as well as other organizations. We look forward to our future success in Virginia.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Henry County to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McAuliffe approved a $100,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist the County with the project. The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission approved $130,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds. The company is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.
“We are thrilled and honored to welcome Novatech as the newest corporate citizen to Henry County,” said Jim Adams, Chairman of the Henry County Board of Supervisors. “Global interest in our community continues to expand because of the many attributes we are able to offer – a quality workforce, stable cost of doing business, and a community that is a good place to live and work.”
“What a great Christmas present for Henry County and Southside Virginia,” said Delegate Danny Marshall, a Commissioner of the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission. “Fifty citizens from our area will get the best Christmas gift they could get, a great paying job with a great company, and Henry County will add $3 million to its tax base. Thanks to Novatech for choosing Henry County to locate your new U.S. manufacturing operation. We wish Novatech much success.”
“As a member of the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, I am pleased that Novatech will locate its manufacturing facility to Henry County,” said Senator William Stanley, Commissioner of the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission. “This decision speaks volumes about the community, the citizens, the work ethic and that Southside is a great place to live, work and raise a family. With this addition, the Martinsville-Henry County area will continue to be a leader in advanced manufacturing in the 21st century.”