Fan manufacturer announces new plant in Hickory

A fan wheel and blower manufacturer has plans to open a new plan in Hickory, Gov. Bev Perdue announced Thursday.

According to the governor’s office, the project would add 56 new jobs and a $4.2 million investment in the local economy.

Punker LLC manufactures fan wheels used in a variety of heating, cooling and ventilation applications. The company is based in Germany and employs about 300 people. The project, as announced by Perdue’s office, would allow the company to move all of its existing U.S. business to the Hickory plant.

Salaries will average $35,800 for employees, about $1,500 above the Catawba County average.

The project was made possible in part by a $78,100 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

For more information about Punker, including job opportunities, visit www.punker.com.