29 May 2024

Truck manufacturer builds new East Coast operation in Rowan

Amrep Manufacturing Company, a producer of waste collection trucks, will expand its operations in Rowan County, adding 170 jobs and investing more than $21 million in the region.

“Amrep Manufacturing’s expansion in Rowan County validates our efforts to support home grown manufacturers, including a great quality of life, an ideal location, and a diverse, skilled workforce,” Gov. Roy Cooper said.

Amrep is a subsidiary of Wastequip, a leading manufacturer of waste handling equipment. Headquartered in Charlotte, Wastequip is a one-stop shop for the cycle of waste hauling, collecting, storing, and transportation with manufacturing sites in 48 states and Mexico. Amrep’s new operation will produce front load and automated side load trucks for curbside collection. The new building will be an 80,000-square-foot production space adjacent to its current facility in Salisbury.

“This expansion continues Wastequip’s growth platform providing specialized equipment and services to customers in the waste industry as the leading integrated solution provider from generation to rest,” Marty Bryant, President and CEO of Wastequip, said.

“Salisbury was Amrep’s first expansion of our manufacturing operations several years ago – and this area, including the highly skilled workforce and cooperation of local and state officials continues to afford excellent opportunities for us. We are very excited to get this project underway,” Eric Mattson, President of Wastequip’s Truck Division said.

Positions at the facility will include fabricators, mounters, painters, supervisors, welders, and other support positions. Although salaries will vary by position, the average annual wage is $57,490, which exceeds Rowan County’s average of $52,101. These new jobs could create a potential payroll impact of more than $9.7 million for the region each year.

“Amrep could have expanded anywhere, but they chose North Carolina,” N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders said. “This investment will require our increased investment in quality education and the workforce training systems to help our business community thrive.”

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